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dll STANDARD OF DUTY, 



A QUESTION BOOK OF 



PRACTICAL RELIGION. 



Mrs. ANNIE O. OAGS-E. 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION BT 



Rev. WILLIAM L. GAGE. 



HARTFORD : 
« r o w^ :nt sc g^ross 

No. 49 Asvlum Street. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






BIBLE STANDABD OF DUTY, 



A QUESTION BOOK OF 



PRACTICAL RELIGION. 



-♦♦♦- 



BY 



Mrs. ANNIE O. GAGE, 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

■ 

Rev. WILLIAM L. GAGE. 




3 



HAKTFOED : 

No. 49 Asylum Street. 






1RYi5&I 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the vear 1S71, by 

BROWN & GROSS, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



WILLIAM H. toCKWOOD, 

MANTJFACTlTRftT) BY 

CASE, LOCKWOOD & BRAI^ARP, Electrotype?, 

HARTFORD, CONHi BiRTFURB. CONS. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



"\Te have question books on almost every subject except 
e one which meets us always and everywhere, the Duties 
of a Christian Life. The need of a practical work on this 
theme has been urgently felt, and the effort to supply that 
need has called forth the present publication. This little 
book has grown, as have all valuable manuals of like pur- 
pose, out of experience in the Sabbath school, and the author 
publishes now what has already received the sanction of a 
thorough trial. The range of the book is such as to em- 
brace nearly all the youth of both sexes ; the subjects such 
as all need to understand. The basis of these teachings 
will be found to be the Bible itself; hence the need of fre- 
quent references to the Bible; but besides these, there is a 
constant referring of all questions of morality and duty to 
the Conscience. It is believed that the questions will greatly 
stimulate thought, quicken feeling, arouse repentance, and 
draw to the Saviour, whom to know and to love and to fol- 
low is the one single end of all Sabbath school instruction. 

The book is published both in book form, and in leaflets, 
to meet the two different classes of demand. 

W. L. GAGE. 



THE BIBLE STANDASD OF DUTY. 



■4 ♦ fr- 



LESSON I. 

THE LOVE OF GOD. 

1. Who is our great Teacher? 

2. Is His conimand sufficient authority for any course 
of action? 

3. Is it right to refuse to yield to His authority ? 

4. What other sources of instruction have we besides 
the words of Christ? 2 Tim. 3 : 16. 

5. What does Christ teach us is the greatest com- 
mandment? Matt. 22: 3 7. 

6. To whom does He say this? Matt. 22: 35, 36. 

7. For what purpose was the conversation begun ? — 
Matt. 22 : 35, &c. 

8. By what other persons besides Matthew is this in- 
cident related ? Mark 12: 29, 30; Luke 10: 27. 

9. What variations are found in the accounts of the 
different evangelists ? 

10. How can the differences be reconciled? 

11. What advantages are there in having it told by 
more than one ? 

12. Was this requirement of Christ new? Deut. 
6:5. 

13. By whom had it been spoken before ? Deut. 5 : 1. 



4 THE LOVE OF GOD. 

14. Under what circumstances ? Deut. 4 : 45,46. 

15. What blessings were promised to the Israelites 
if they kept this most important command of God's 
covenant with them? Deut. 30: 9, 15, 16. 

16. In what passages is the same duty required in a 
slightly different form ? Deut. 10: 12; 11: 13. 

1 7. What is then unmistakably our great duty ? 

18. What is meant by loving God with the whole 
heart, and soul, and mind, and strength ? 

19. Are you so loving Him now? 

20. Can we love God without thinking much about 
Him? 

21. Does God have a larger place in your mind than 
self? 

22. If you do not love God, what is his rival? 

23. Do you think much about God every day? 

24. Does He seem like a stranger to you? 

25. Have you any distinct idea about God? 

26.. Can you love a being about whom you have little 
idea? 

27. How can you learn about God? John 5 : 39. 

28. How can you hold intercourse with God ? Luke 
6: 12. 

29. Is your conscience convinced of the duty of lov- 
ing God? 

30. What guide will you follow if you refuse to obey 
conscience ? 

31. In what ways may we violate the first command- 
ment? 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 



LESSON II. 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 

1. Do we naturally love God? Rom. 8 : 7. 

2. What is the testimony of your own consciousness 
in answer to this question ? 

3. How far are we responsible for loving God ? 

4. How can the natural enmity of the heart to God 
be removed ? Gal. 5:22; John 3 : 7. 

5. In what relation does God come to your thoughts 
most naturally as Creator, King, or Father ? 

6. Which makes Him seem the nearest? 

7. In what passages is He called our Father ? Deut. 
32: 6; Is. 63: 16; Matt. 6: 10; Matt. 6: 9. 

8. In what respects is God like our earthly parents ? 
Ps. 103: 13; 145: 15, 16. 

9. Is not our entire confidence that our earthly par- 
ents truly love us and are striving for our good, one of 
our strongest reasons for loving them ? 

10. Why may we feel this confidence more strono-. 
ly in. regard to our Heavenly Father? Ps. 62: 5-8, 
11, 12. 

11. Shall we not be more likely to love God if we 
think of Him oftener as our Father ? 

12. What attributes does God possess that would be 
likely to draw our hearts towards Him? Ps. 100: 5; 
Luke 12: 6, 7. 

13. What special claim has God upon our hearts? 
1 John 4: 19. 

14. Can anything but love be an acceptable return 
for love ? 



b THE LOVE OF GOD. 

15. Will you refuse to give your love in return for 
the love of such a Bein«; ? 

16. How has God manifested Himself so that we 
know that He can sympathize with us ? John 1:1, 
14; Heb. 4: 15, 

1 7. How has God shown His love to us ? John 3 : 
16. 

18. What blessings are promised to those who love 
God? Rom. 8: 28; 1 Cor. 2:9; Ps. 145: 20. 

19. What evils are threatened to those who forget 
God? Ps. 9: 17. 

20. Does loving God heartily make us love our friends 
less? 

21. Is the power of loving exhausted or increased by 
exercise ? 

22. Could we enjoy living with God and praising 
Him, if we did not love him ? 

23. Is there any other being worthy to receive our 
full capacity for loving ? 

24. Is there any other being who is not liable to 
prove less worthy of our admiration than we had im- 
agined ? 

25. What effect does it have upon us to love so holy 
and perfect a being ? 1 John 3 : 3. 

26. What reasons have we for loving God ? 

27. Have you any good reason for not loving Him ? 

28. Do you forget God, or hate Him, or love Him ? 

29. Do you want to love Him ? 

30. What is hindering you ? 

31. How shall we show our love to God? 



FORMATION OF CHARACTER. 7 

LESSON III. 

FORMATION OF CHARACTER. 

1. What do you mean by character? 

2. Can you imagine a man existing without any 
character ? 

3. When does it begin to form ? 

4. What influences combine to form it ? 

5. Which of these do you control ? 

6. Do we need help from above to do our part? 
Rom. 7: 19. 

7. Are we responsible for what we are ? Rom. 14 : 
12. 

8. Should we be called to account for that over which 
we have no control ? 

9. Are you satisfied with your present character ? 

10. Have you made any effort to possess a different 
one? 

11. Have we not reason to believe our characters in 
this world will determine both character and destiny 
in another ? 

12. Can we carry anything but character with us in- 
to another life ? 1 Tim. 6:7; Rev. 22 : 11, 12. 

13. For that reason should we not seek to obtain a 
perfect character more than anything else ? 

14. Can we afford to sacrifice character for any ad- 
vantage that lasts only through this life ? Mark' 8 : 36. 

15. Is not a good character a reserved force against 
temptation ? 

16. Do not our characters have more effect upon 
others than our words ? 



8 FORMATION OF CHARACTER. 

17. Is it not that which gives weight to our words? 

18. Does not what you are help to decide what your 
neighbor will be ? 

19. What are some of the advantages of a good 
character ? 

20. Have you a distinct idea in what a good charac- 
ter consists ? 

21. Mention some things that constitute it? 

22. Can that character be truly excellent that dis- 
pleases God? 

23. Is He not a better judge than we of what is 
worthy and noble ? 

24. Will it not then assist vou in knowing what to 
desire, to know what wkl please God ? 

25. May not an undesirable character be formed from 
the mere neglect of care and culture ? 

26. If we make no effort to improve, shall we not re- 
main far inferior to what we might be ? 

27. Should we rest content with anything but per- 
fection? Matt. 5: 48. 

28. Need we feel discouraged if our progress is slow? 

29. Are you seeking to lead others to be nobler and 
better ? 

30. Have you examined yourself enough to know 
what qualities you need to possess ? 

31. Will you test yourself by the lessons in this book r 
and seeing which of these virtues you lack, will you try 
to cultivate them ? 



•REPENTANCE. 9 

LESSON IV. 

REPENTANCE. 

1. What is repentance ? 

2. What two kinds of repentance are mentioned in 
2 Cor. 7: 10. 

3. What is the difference between them? 

4. Is the sorrow shown by Judas true repentance ? 
Matt. 27 : 3. 

5. What other person repented in the same sense 
that Judas did ? Gen. 4 : 13. 

6. What wicked king of Israel escaped punishment 
by humbling himself? 1 Kings 21 : 29. 

7. What penitential psalm is the expression of a good 
man's repentance ? Ps. 51. 

8. If we truly repent, how shall we regard sin and 
holiness? Ezek. 36: 31. 

9. In what passage is the word repentance first used 
in the Bible? Gen. 6:6. 

10. What is meant by repentance in such passages as 
Gen. 6 : 6 ? 

11. In what other circumstances is God represented 
as repenting ? Ex. 32 : 14 ; Judges 2 : 18 ; 1 Sam. 15 : 
35; 2 Sam. 24: 16. 

12. Who was the grea preacher of repentance? — 
Matt 3 : 1, 2. 

13. What is said of him? Matt 3 : 3. 

14. How did he prepare the way for Christ ? 

15. Does true repentance make the soul feel the need 
of Christ? 



10 KEPEXTAXCE, 

16. What then is the forerunner of the kingdom of 
heaven in each soul now ? 

1 7. How is repentance a preparation for Christ ? 

18. Shall we desire Christ's forgiveness for sins of 
which we have not repented ? 

19. Can He grant it to those who do not repent ? 

20. Does it seem suitable to forgive a person who is 
not sorry for sin and who continues in it ? 

21. Who are suitable subjects for repentance ? Matt. 
9: 13. 

22. Who are meant by the righteous in this passage ? 

23. Are any so righteous as to need no repentance ? 
Ps. 14 : 1-3. 

24. Will a self-righteous person find it easy to re- 
pent? Luke 18: 9-12. 

25. Did Christ's disciples preach repentance ? Acts 
26: 20. 

26. Who makes it possible for us to repent and be 
forgiven? Acts 5 : 31. 

27. Does Christ receive all who repent and seek Him ? 
John 6:37. 

28. May we pray for anything that is God's gift ? 

29. May we then pray for repentance ? 2 Tim. 2 : 
25. 

30. Do you know what there is wrong in your heart 
and life ? 

31. Do you think God sees anything amiss in them? 

32. If you try to think how God regards you, can 
you not see in what respects you have sinned ? 

33. Having examined yourself, do you mean to con- 
tinue in the wrong you have discovered, or give it up ? 



REPENTANCE A DUTY. 11 

LESSOR V. 

REPENTANCE A DUTY. 

1. Are all commanded to repent? Acts 17 : 30. 

2. Can you repent without realizing that you have 
done wrong ? 

3. Can you see that you have done wrong without 
knowing your duty ? 

4. May not a clearer view of your duties to God and 
man be a means of leading to repentance ? 

5. If the knowledge of duty does not lead to repent- 
ance, how will it affect the heart ? 

6. Of what sins do we all need to repent ? Rom. 
11 : 32. 

7. Have you any other cause for repentance ? 

8. Have you always loved God with all your heart ? 

9. Do you remember Him in your daily life ? 

10. Are you trying to please Him? 

11. Do you love those about you ? 

12. Are you trying to obey every command of God 
as far as you know it ? 

13. Do you try to find out what God would have you 
do? 

14. In answering these last six questions, do you find 
any cause for repentance ? 

15. What else should lead us to repentance? Rom. 
2: 4. 

16. Can a person remain proud and repent? 

1 7. Is the humiliation in the act of repenting or of 
sinning ? 

18. What is the effect of deferring repentance? 

2 



12 REPENTANCE A DUTY, 

1 9. "Will it ever be as easy as now ? 

20. What is said of repentance in Heb. 6:1? 

21. What is its relation to other graces ? 

22. Does God require less than perfect obedience to 
the whole law ? Matt. 5 • 48 ; James 2:10. 

23. Have you met his requirements ? 

24. Have you seriously considered your duties to 
God and the manner in which you have fulfilled them ? 

25. Have you repented of your failures ? 

26. Does repentance make amends for past sins ? 

27. What must go with it ? Acts 20 : 21. 

28. What are the fruits of repentance ? 2 Cor. 7 : 
11, 

29. What blessings result from it? Acts 11: 18; 
3: 19. 

30. W T hat may Esau's example teach us in regard to 
repentance? Heb. 12: 17. 

31. Under what circumstances was the expression of 
penitence in Job 42 : 6, used ? 

32. Which of the disciples truly repented of grievous 
sin ? Matt. 26 : 75. 

33. What can you relate concerning this incident ? 
Matt. 26 : 31-35, 69-75 

34. What tests of generous repentance can you 
give ? 

35. Can repentance be exercised by a person still in 
an unregenerate state ? 

36. Can repentance be exercised towards men with- 
out reference to God ? 



SEEKING SALVATION. 13 

LESSON VI. 

SEEKING SALVATION. 

1. What is meant by salvation ? 

2. Does salvation most affect your character or your 
condition ? 

3. Is blessedness the necessary result of a changed 
character, or something wholly external ? 

4. When you say you want to be saved, what definite 
idea do you have ? 

5. Why is salvation a thing to be desired ? 

6. From what are we to be saved ? Matt. 1 : 21 ; 
Rom. 5:9; John 3:15. 

7. Do you think you have sinned ? 

8. Do you wish to continue in sin ? 

9. Are you sorry for the sins you have committed ? 

10. If you have repented of sin what do you need ? 
Acts 13: 38. 

11. Who can procure forgiveness for us ? 1 Tim. 1 : 
15; John 1 : 29 ; Matt.26: 28. 

12. How do you expect to make amends for your past 
sins ? 1 John 1 : 7, 9. 

13. For what purpose did Christ come into the world f 
1 John 3 : 5 ; 1 Peter 2 : 24. 

14. Since Jesus came into the world on purpose to 
cleanse you from sin, can you doubt that He is willing 
to do it ? 

15. Do you doubt that He is able to do it ? Heb. 7 : 
25. 

16. Are you willing to trust in Him to save you ? 



14 SEEKING SALVATION. 

17. What is essential to salvation ? John 6 : 40, 47 ; 
Acts 16: 31. 

18. What blessings are promised to those who be- 
lieve ? John 6 : 35 ; 5 : 24 ; Mark 9 : 23 ; Romans 
10: 4. 

19. What will be the consequences of not believing 
in Christ? Mark 16: 16; John 3: 36. 

20. May all believe on Him who will ? John 3 : 16. 

21. Have you believed in Christ ? 

22. If you have not, what is the reason ? 

23. Are you hoping to be saved ? 

24. Upon what ground do you base your hope ? 

25. Is there more than one way in which you can be 
saved? Acts 4: 12. 

26. Is there anything else in life so important as sal- 
vation ? Matt. 16: 26. 

27. Is there anything so certain as that you must die? 

28. Is there anything so uncertain as the time of your 
death ? 

29. Can there be any reasonable excuse for delaying 
to prepare for death ? 

30. Do you want to be reconciled to a kind and lov- 
ing Father ? 

31. Will you reject a Saviour who died to redeem 
you? 

32. Can you refuse to accept the free forgiveness pur- 
chased by infinite love ? 

33. When is the only safe time to seek salvation? 
2 Cor. 6 : 9. 



FAITH. 15 

LESSON VII. 

FAITH. 

1. What does the word Faith mean ? 

2. What do we mean when we say we believe in a 
person ? 

3. Which is the stronger expression, that we believe 
what a man has said, or that we believe in him ? 

4. What is meant by the expression, " Have faith in 
God." 

5. Js not faith as a natural quality, a great power in 
the world ? 

6. Is not that man much more likely to succeed who 
has faith in himself and his plan ? 

7. If you wish a cause to prosper, can you enlist a 
greater power than a strong faith in its success ? 

8. Does not the expression in Matt. 9 : 29 apply to 
many of the facts of daily life ? 

9. Can a person act as heartily who does not believe 
in what he is doing ? 

10. How will you illustrate this ? 

1 1 . What is necessary in undertaking any work ? 

12. How does the Bible define faith ? Heb. 11 : 1. 

13. What does this mean ? 

1 4. How does faith change your relations to an un- 
seen world ? Rom. 8:15; John 14 : 2 ; 2 Cor. 4:18. 

15. How does it affect our daily lives ? 2 Cor. 5 : 7. 

16. What do you understand by walking by faith ? 

17. Can you fully believe all God teaches and not 
try to obey his commands ? 

18. Can we please God without faith ? Heb. 11:6. 



16 FAITH. 

19. Is faith the only thing of consequence ? James 
2: 14, 17. 

20. What is the connection between faith and works ? 
James 2: 18, 22, 26. 

21. Will faith make us obey God more or less per- 
fectly ? 

22. How did it affect the patriarchs ? Heb. 11. 

23. Who are remarkable for strong faith ? 

24. How did they show it? 

25. Does not disobedience show a lack of faith ? 

26. How can you show your faith ? 

27. What may faith accomplish ? Heb. 11 : 33, 34 ; 
Matt. 17: 20. 

28. May we pray for faith ? Luke 17:5. 

29. Will faith assist us in our daily duties ? 

30. Does not faith give strength for the struggles of 
life? 

31. Are you willing to guide your life by faith ? 

32. In whom and what are we required to have 
faith? 

33. How can faith pervade your life so perfectly that 
it will affect all you do ? 

34. How should faith influence the movements of the 
church ? 

35. What have been some of the strongest instances 
of faith in the history of the Christian church ? 

36. What are some of the best illustrations of faith 
within your knowledge ? 



SANCTIFICATION. 17 



LESSON VIIL 

SANCTIFICATION. 

1. What great blessing did Christ pray the Father to 
bestow upon his disciples ? John 17 : 17, 19. 

2. Under what circumstances was this prayer offered ? 
John 17: 1; 18: 1. 

3. If He thought sanctification worth so prominent a 
place in that prayer, should we not do well to strive 
for it ? 

4. What prayer does Paul offer for the Thessalonians 
at the close of his letter to them ? 1 Thes. 5 : 23. 

5. How does Peter pray for Christians at the end of 
his epistle ? 1 Peter 5:10. 

6. What is Paul's beautiful benediction at the close 
of his letter to the Hebrews ? Heb. 13 : 20, 21. 

7. Is not holiness one of the greatest blessings to be 
desired ? 

8. Could we be happy in heaven without it ? 

9. What blessings are promised to the pure and holy ? 
Ps. 37; 37; Matt. 5: 8. 

10. Is not holiness its own reward ? 

11. Did not Christ die for us that we might be sanc- 
tified? Tit. 2: 14; 1 Cor. 6 : 11 ; 1 Peter 2: 24. 

12. What does sanctification mean ? 

13. What is the difference between justification and 
sanctification ? 

14. Which is the more gradual ? 

15. Which would come first ? 

16. Is it enough to keep the outward life pure ? 



18 SAXCTIFICATION, 

1 7. Is it easy to keep heart, life, and lips free from 
sin ? Jer. 17:9; James 3:8; Rom. 7 : 19. 

18. What are some of the most common temptations ? 

19. Have you a clear idea of what you are aiming to 
attain ? 

20. How may we be cleansed from sin ? 1 John 1 : 7. 
• 21. Through whose influences may we hope and pray 

to be sanctified ? 2 Thes. 2 : 13 ; 1 Peter 1 : 2. 

22. Have we any part in'the work ? Phil. 2:12. 

23. Will not seeking holiness be a life work ? 

24. Does God require us to be holy ? 1 Peter 1:15, 
16 ; Matt, 5 : 48 ; 2 Cor. 7 : 1 ; 13 : 11 ; Heb. 12 : 14. 

25. Did Paul consider himself already perfect ? Phil. 
3: 13, 14. 

26. How shall we act to follow his example ? 2 Peter 
3: 18. 

27. Is it of so much consequence that we should 
know whether we are perfect or not, as that with hu- 
mility we should constantly strive to be better ? 

28. Do you not consider it a privilege as well as a 
very clear duty to strive after holiness ? 

29. Have you so strong a desire for perfection that 
you will make it the purpose of your life to reach it ? 

30. What danger is there in giving attention to the 
subject of sanctification ? Jer. 17:9. 

31. What persons, mentioned in the Bible, thought 
themselves perfectly sanctified V 

32. How many instances can you remember of per- 
sons seeking for holiness? 2 Cor. 7: 1? Ps. 51: 10; 
Heb. 12: 1. 



SELF-EXAMINATION. 19 

LESSON IX. 

SELF-EXAMINATION. 

1. What directions did Paul give the Corinthians? 
2 Cor. 13: 5. 

2. Are the first two clauses of general application ? 

3. What is said in Lam. 3 : 40 ; Gal. 6:4? 

4. On what occasions were the Corinthians exhorted 
to examine. themselves ? 1 Cor. 11 : 28. 

5. Is it not fitting that we search our hearts before 
that sacrament ? 

6. What necessity is there for examining ourselves ? 

7. Can we know our relations to God otherwise ? 

8. How else shall we know what sins we have com- 
mitted ? 

9. May we not thus discover our easily besetting sins ? 

10. Will it not help us to remember the duties we 
have forgotten ? 

11. How can we repent if we have no idea of the 
state of our hearts ? 

12. Can we know our hearts without searching them ? 

13. How can we pray intelligently if we do not know 
what we need ? 

14. Will it not assist us to grow in holiness if we 
have the habit of frequent heart-searching ? 

15. If the standard you seek is high, will not self-ex- 
amination lead to humility? 1 Cor. 10 : 12. 

16. How may it prove a consolation to us ? 1 John 
3: 21. 

17. By what standard should we try ourselves? 
Eph. 4: 13; Eom. 12: 3. 



20 SELF-EXAMINATION. 

18. Should we compare ourselves with others ? 2 
Cor. 10: 12. 

19. Is it not well to have some definite plan for self- 
examination ? 

20. Will not the habit of examining our characters 
make us more likely to correct our faults ? 

2 1 . Shall we not improve more by cultivating some 
special grace and examining our progress ? 

22. Can we not in this way gradually prune away 
our faults and grow in Christian graces ? 

23. Is it desirable to have stated times for self-exam- 
ination ? 

24. What are the advantages of examining vour 
heart often ? 

25. Is not a neglected heart like a garden gone to 
waste ? Sons; of Solomon 2:15. 

26. May you not have two or three questions to ask 
yourself every night ? 

27. May it not be profitable to take a general view 
at longer intervals ? 

28. Have you a definite idea how to proceed ? 

29. Should not self-examination always be accom- 
panied by prayer ? 

30. What advantages may be derived from a habit 
of self-examination ? 

31. What difficulties hinder the formation of such a 
habit ? 

32. What is the danger of neglecting to examine 
ourselves ? 



HUMILITY. 21 

LESSON X. 

HUMILITY. 

1. What is the opposite of humility ? Prov. 29 : 23. 

2. Does not pride give us an undue opinion of our- 
selves ? 

3. Does not humility admit a fair, clear view of one's 
character and position ? 

4. Will it not incline us to rate ourselves too low 
rather than too high ? 

5. Will it be strenuous in insisting upon the highest 
honors ? 

6. Are not self-conceit and vanity also contrasted 
with humility ? 

7. Does not the proud person suppose he possesses 
the advantages of which he is proud ? 

8. Is not vanity satisfied with the mere appearance 
of them ? 

9. Do not self-conceit and vanity seem disagreeable 
or contemptible in others ? 

10. Is not pride repulsive when it takes the form of 
haughtiness ? 

11. Is it consistent with a right state of heart to- 
wards God ? Prov. 6 : 16, 17. 

12. Is not the woid pride sometimes used in a good 
sense ? 

13. Does it not sometimes mean a nobleness of char- 
acter that would scorn to do anvthimx mean or wron<r ? 

1 4. Should we not feel that some acts are unworthy 
of us ? 



22 HUMILITY. 

15. What should increase that feeling? 1 Cor. 8: 
16. 

16. Is it not possible that the two uses of the word 
pride cause confusion in our minds, and prevent our 
feeling a due sense of its wickedness ? 

17. Is it not often the last thing we give up in sub- 
mitting to God ? 

18. When we speak against pride, in what sense do 
we use the word ? 

19. What does the Bible say of pride ? Ps. 10 : 4 : 
Prov. 14: 3; 21 : 4, 24. 

20. Does not God regard it with abhorrence ? Prov. 
8: 13; 16: 5, 18, 19. 

21. What state of mind is pleasing to him ? Is. 57 : 
15; 1 Peter 5: 5, 6. 

22. Of what things are people likely to be proud ? 

23. W T hat should be remembered in regard to all we 
have and are ? 1 Cor. 4:7; James 1:17. 

24. Will not a high standard of excellence prevent 
our being too much elated with our own characters ? 

25. Will not a broad view of the field of knowledge 
keep us from being wise in our own conceit ? 

26. Is it not the superficial character that is most in 
danger of self-conceit ? 

27. Will not a vivid sense of our dependence upon 
God keep us humble ? 2 Cor. 3:5. 

28. What are the advantages of humility ? Prov. 
22: 4; Ps. 9 : 12; James 4: 6. 

29. In comparing pride and humility have you any 
doubt which is pleasing to God ? Ps. 1 38 : 6 ; Is. 2 : 1 2, 



GRATITUDE. 23 

LESSON XL 

GBATITUDE. 

1. What is gratitude ? 

2. In what ways do we express our gratitude for the 
favors we have received from men ? 

3. Do we enjoy favors as well when we have return- 
ed no thanks for them ? 

4. For what do we owe gratitude to our parents ? — 
Matt. 7:11, first clause. 

5. How should we show it ? 

6. To whom do we owe more than to our friends ? 
James 1:17; John 3:27. 

7. Mention some of the common blessings that we 
receive from God. Acts 17: 28; 1 Tim. 6:8; EccL 
3: 13. 

8. What spiritual blessings have we received ? Matt. 
7: 11; Col. 1: 14; Luke 11: 13. 

9. Of what other mercies do you think ? 

10. Are you in the habit of thinking of the blessings 
you receive from God ? 

11. What is the difference between our methods of 
showing our gratitude to God and to men ? 

12. How can we express gratitude to God? Ps. 7: 
17; 22: 25; 44: 8; 71: 14; 105: 1, 2. 

13. What book in the Bible is full of praise to God? 

14. Where are these exhortations to praise Him ? 
Ps. 103: 20, 21,- 22; 148; 150: 6. 

15. Do you regard the expression of gratitude to 
God by praise and thanksgiving as a duty or a pleas- 
ure ? 



24 GRATITUDE. 

16. What is the suitable return for those blessings of 
which many are proud ? 

17. How does ingratitude to a benefactor always 
seem to us ? 

18. Is it any less unworthy because shown towards 
Him who gives us all we have ? 

19. What causes lead us to be ungrateful to God ? 

20. Is not one reason of our ingratitude that we for- 
get that the blessings come from Him ? 

21. May it not be that we are unwilling to acknowl- 
edge our complete dependence upon Him ? 

22. What feeling does gratitude produce in our own 
hearts ? 

23. How has praise been regarded by God's people ? 
Ps. 147: 1; 33: 1. 

24. Where may we be sure God is praised ? Rev. 
19: 1, 5, 6; 14: 2, 3. 

25. Who determined to spend his life praising God ? 
Ps. 146: 2; 104: 33. 

26. How did the Israelites celebrate God's deliver- 
ance from Egypt ? Ex. 15 : 1-21. 

27. Under what circumstances did they sing praises 
to God in the times of the Judges ? Judge. 4 : 1-1 7. 

28. What song was sung on this occasion ? Judo;. 5. 

29. What do you think of the method taken by the 
Leper to show his gratitude, as recorded in Mark 1 : 
44, 45? 

30. What illustration have we of the different ways 
in which men receive favors ? Luke 17 : 15-18. 

31. How did N'aaman acknowledge the blessing he 
had received ? 2 Kings 5 : 15, 16. 



TRUST IN GOD. 25 

LESSON XII. 

TRUST IN GOD. 

1. What reason for trusting in God is given in Is. 
26: 4; Ps. 62: 7? 

2. What evidence have we that God careth for us ? 
Luke 12: 7; Is. 44: 21. 

3. What proof is there of His love ? John 3:16; 
Ps. 103: 13; 127: 2. 

4. What is said of God's wisdom ? Prov. 3 : 19, 20 ; 
Rom. 11 : 33; Job 36: 5. 

5. Who can best judge what is good for us ? Is. 55 : 
9; Ps. 37: 5. 

6. What do we require in order to trust any one ? 

7. What things often prevent our trusting any human 
being perfectly ? 

8. Is there any danger of mistake in regard to God's 
lpve?. Ps. 145: 9, 20; Rom. 8: 28. 

9. What assurances have we that He has power to 
do whatever He pleases ? Ps. 62 : 11. 

10. How are we likely to feel in regard to God's 
plans when they cross our views ? 

11. What reasons have we for implicit trust in God ? 
Rom. 8 : 32 ; Ps. 91 : 1-7 ; 125 : 1, 2. 

1 2. Need there be any limit to our confidence ? Eph. 
3 : 20 ; Ps. 46 : 1-3. 

13. Ought not this trust to prevent undue anxiety ? 
Is. 26 : 3 ; Matt. 6 : 25. 

14. Will it prevent due foresight and prudence ? — 
Prov. 22: 3; 14: 15, 18. 

15. For what purpose has God given us ability to 
plan and judge ? 



26 TRUST IN GOD. 

16. Having done our best, with what feeKng should 
we be willing to leave results with God ? 

1 7. Does not this trust include both present and fu- 
ture ? 

18. Need we doubt that God directs even the small- 
est events of our lives ? Matt. 10 : 30. 

19. How does this thought affect our happiness ? 

20. What is the condition of a person wholly with- 
out this trust in God ? 

21. Will it not help us carry the burdens of life ? 

22. Does God mean that we should carry them alone ? 
1 Peter 5 : 7 ; Ps. 55 : 22. 

23. How would our lives be changed if we left our 
anxieties in God's care, as the little child lives happily 
trusting in its parents ? 

24. How may the work of life assist us in subduing 
the dread of future evils ? 

25. Of what burdens can you think that are a want 
of faith, trying to carry what God never designed us to 
bear ? 

26. Would not the lightened load give us more 
strength for the work we ought to do ? 

27. How will this perfect trust affect our influence 
over others ? 

28. Is not perfect trust in God our highest duty ? 
Ps. 62: 8; 37: 3. 

29. Is it not also our greatest privilege ? Ps. 2:12, 
last clause; 34: 8; Prov. 29: 25. 

30. What blessing or advantage will you prefer to 
this complete trust in God ? 



SUBMISSION. 27 

LESSON XIII. 

SUBMISSION. 

1. What is the command in the first clause of James 
4: 7? 

2. What idea is the opposite of submitting to God ? 
Jer. 5: 23; Job 34: 37. 

3. What is your idea of submission ? 

4. How does submission differ from indifference and 
stoicism ? 

5. Who gives us the most perfect example of sub- 
mission ? Matt. 26 : 39, 42,*44. 

6. In what respects is Christ's life designed for our 
imitation ? 

7. Did He not always seek to do His Father's will ? 
John 5 : 30 ; 6 : 38. 

8. What did He teach His disciples to pray? Matt. 
6: 10.; Luke 11 : 2. 

9. What are we doing if we offer the Lord's prayer 
with unsubmissive hearts ? 

10. Should we not desire God's will to be done more 
than anything else ? 

11. If we do this shall we not accept His Providence 
submissively ? 

12. Do we believe that anything can happen to us 
contrary to God's will ? 

13. How then can we fail to submit patiently to all 
the events of life ? 

14. How can we secure always having our own way? 

15. Whose will is always done? 

16. Can submission include the future in detail ? 



28 SUBMISSION. 

17. With what time is the submission mainly con- 
cerned ? 

18. Are we required to be submissive to events that 
have not happened ? 

19. Can we be sure what will occur in the future ? 
Pror. 27: 1. 

20. Are we required to submit to what God has done, 
or to our own fancies of what will happen ? 

21. What assurance have we that God will give us 
grace to meet the trial when it comes, though He does 
not give it before-hand ? Deut. 83 : 25. 

22. If we trust in God's. superior wisdom and unfail- 
ing love, how must we feel in regard to His providential 
dealings with us ? 

23. Against whom do we rebel if we do not submit 
to our lot ? 

24. Is it as easy to submit patiently to misfortunes 
brought upon us by human agency as to those that we 
consider come directly from God ? 

25. How should they be considered so far as we are 
concerned ? 

26. Should the plea of submission be made an ex- 
cuse for indolently bearing evils that we can remedy ? 

27. How is the happiness of others affected by our 
possessing a submissive or a rebellious spirit ? 

28. Which is most conducive to our own happiness ? 

29. May we regulate our lives by the constant desire 
to do God's will ? 

30. How can we attain this grace ? John 14 : 14. 



CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 29 



LESSON XIV. 

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

1. What is conscience ? Kom. 2:15. 

2. For what purpose was this faculty given to us ? 

3. How is conscience described in 1 Peter 3 : 16, first 
clause ? 

4. What is meant by a good conscience ? 

5. How can we keep a good conscience ? 

6. What is the only way to preserve the conscience 
active ? 

7. What is the effect of disobeying conscience ? 1 # 
Tim. 4 : 2, last clause. 

8. How may a hardened conscience be revived ? 
Heb. 9: 14; 10: 22. 

9. Is it natural to most of us to act from principle or 
impulse ? 

10. .If the impulse is good, how may we make it ser- 
viceable ? 

11. What should be the first question we ask in re- 
gard to any action that is proposed to us ? 

12. May not conscience sometimes mislead us ? 

13. Can we neglect to improve the faculties God has 
given us and expect an enlightened conscience ? 

14. Shall we not be responsible if we have slighted 
opportunities to know what is right ? 

15. Have people ever done wrong conscientiously ? 
Acts 26 : 9. 

16. What instances can you mention in the history 
of the church ? 

1 7. How was Paul's right intention recognized ? 1 
Tim. 1: 12, 13. 



30 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

18. In what two ways have we seen that we may do 
wrong ? 

19. What is the safe course in regard to conscience ? 
Acts 24: 16; 23: 1. 

20. Though an act is in itself harmless, do we not 
sin if we do it believing it to be wrong ? 1 Cor. 8 : 7. 

21. Does the person sin who does an act that is right 
in the belief that it is wrong ? 

22. In doing wrong with whom are you putting your- 
self in direct conflict ? Ps. 51 : 4. 

23. Does conscientiousness enter into the details of 
life? 1 Cor. 10: 31; Col. 3: 23. 

24. Will it not make us completely faithful in all our 
work ? 

25. Will not he who constantly realizes that he is 
working to please God do better than one who seeks 
only the praise of men ? 

26. Is not one great want in the world an increase 
of conscientious workers ? 

2 7. Does the Bible require conscientiousness ? Eph. 
6 : 6, 7. 

28. How does the sense of working for God affect 
our daily work ? 

29. Should our work in life be judged according to 
its motive or its nature ? 

30. How can every kind of work be made noble ? 

31. In what ways are you in danger of violating your 
conscience ? 

32. What evils arise from unenlightened consciences ? 

33. What wrongs are committed by violations of con- 
science ? 



PRAYER. 31 

LESSON XV. 

PRAYER. 

1. What is prayer ? 

2. Is not prayer God's appointed means for bestow- 
ing; favors ? Ezek. 36 : 37. 

3. Why do we need to pray ? James 1:17. 

4. Can we control any of the events of our lives ? 
Is. 45: 12, 13. 

5. By whose power do we live ? Acts 17 : 28. 

6. By whose blessing are our daily wants supplied ? 
Ps. 145: 15, 16; 104: 27, 28. 

7. Through whose blood alone can our past sins be 
justified? Acts 4 : 12; Rom. 5 : 1. 

8. Can we hope for pardon if we do not ask it ? — 
Luke 11 : 9, 10. 

9. Can we keep ourselves from sin without God's 
grace ?. Eph. 2 : 8. 

10. Who controls the lives and condition of our 
friends ? 

11. Are not all the interests of the world for which 
we care controlled by Him ? 

12. What proof have we that He will permit us to 
come and ask for whatever we desire ? John 14 : 14. 

13. Does prayer seem to you most as a duty, a neces- 
sity, or a privilege ? 

14. Do you suppose there are any who never want to 
pray ? 

1 5. What reason have we to hope for answers to our 
prayers? John 15: 16. 



32 PRAYER. 

16. Does not our Father in wisdom sometimes give 
us what we need rather than what we ask ? 

1 7. What blessings do we obtain in answer to prayer ? 
Eph. 3 : 20. 

18. What besides petitions are included in prayer ? 
Phil. 4 : 6 ; Ps. 51 : 3 ; 65 : 1. 

19. For what do we owe God thank ssivino; and 
praise ? Ps. 36 : 5, 6 ; 145 : 8, 9 ; 147 : 3. 

20. What have we to confess ? Ps. 32 : 5. 

21. May we not worship Him in prayer by ascrip- 
tions of praise and glory ? Ps. 68 : 32-35. 

22. May we not consecrate our lives to Him ? 

23. What does the word amen mean ? 1 Chron. 16 : 
36. 

24. What is its appropriateness at the end of prayers, 
as in Matt. 6:13? 

25. Who may dispense with prayer ? Mark 14 : 38. 

26. Is not prayer essential to a Christian life ? 

27. Do not our feelings in regard to prayer furnish a 
test of our relations to God ? 

28. What invitations to prayer do you find ? Matt. 
11: 28; Is. 55: 1-4; Rev. 22: 17. 

29. Since God permits us to pray, how will He regard 
it if we slight the privilege ? 

30. Do you feel the need of prayer ? 

31. Do you enjoy it ? 

32. What reasons can you give why you should not 
pray ? 

33. What motives are there to induce you to pray ? 



TIMES AND PLACES OF PRAYER. 33 

LESSON XVI. 

TIMES AND PLACES OF PRAYER. 

1. What is said of Isaac ? Gen. 24 : 63, first clause. 

2. Is it not likely these meditations were accompan- 
ied by prayer ? 

3. Toward what place did the Jews pray? 1 Kings 
8 : 30 ; 2 Chron. 20 : 9. 

4. What is recorded of David's times of prayer '? 
Ps. 55 : 17. 

5. What is said in Ps. 119 : 164 ? 

6. Where did Daniel pray ? Dan. 6 : 10. 

7. How many times a day ? 

8. Where did Christ pray? Matt. 26 : 36 ; Mark 1 : 
35; Luke 6: 12. 

9. What direction did He give as to the place of 
prayer ? Matt. 6:6. 

10. Do you remember any command of His in regard 
to the place of prayer ? 

11. Where were the Jews in the habit of praying ? 
Matt. 6.: 5; Luke 18: 10. 

12. What do you think in regard to having stated 
times of prayer ? 

13. What are the advantages of doing so? 

14. What danger is there in having no appointed 
time for the duty ? 

15. May we not well employ the»force of habit to re- 
mind us of our duty ? 

16. Ought we to need such a reminder ? 

17. Are not stated times likely to make us stop and 
think what we need and what we desire ? 



31 TIMES AND PLACES OF PRAYER. 

18. What are suitable times for prayer? 

19. Shall we not pray at any other times than at 
these set intervals ? 

20. Do not sudden emergencies call for prompt relief? 

21. If you were in distress for your father's aid, 
should you not call to him at once to help you ? 

22. Is not God more constantly near than our parents 
to hear us when we call? Ps. 145 : 18. 

23. May not our hearts go up to God in silent prayer 
at any time and in any place ? 1 Tim. 2 : 8. 

24. What exhortation is given in 1 Thes. 5 : 17? 

25. How can we obey this ? 

26. Can it mean that we should always be in the at- 
titude of prayer ? 

27. Can our minds always be absorbed in prayer ? 

28. What meaning can you give to the passage that 
will not interfere with our daily duties ? 

29. Is it likely to be silent or audible prayer ? 

30. How can your life be pervaded by the spirit of 
prayer ? 

31. Do you do anything upon which you cannot ask 
God's blessing ? 

32. Are all your acts performed with prayer to God? 

33. What is essential in regard to the time and place 
of prayer ? 



HOW TO Pit AY. 35 

lesson xvn. - 

HOW TO PRAY. 

1. In whose name should prayer be offered ? 1 John* 
2:1; John 14: 13. 

2. By whose help may we come ? Rom. 8 . 26. 

3. How may we address God ? Matt. 6:9. 

4. How should we regard God when we go to Him ? 
John 4 : 24 ; .Rom. 8:15; Rev. 15 : 3, 4. 

5. What hints may we derive in regard to prayer 
from remembering that God is our Father ? 

6. Do you ask your father to give you things that 
you have no interest in having ? 

7. Is it not the same thing if we repeat words in 
prayer because they are proper, when we really have 
no strong desire for the things ? 

8. Are we not in danger of using petitions prompted 
by habit rather than the desires of the soul ? 

9. Are not prayers formal so far as they do not ex- 
press what we then feel ? 

10. Do we escape the danger because our prayers are 
not written ? 

11. Are we necessarily formal because we use the 
same words every day ? 

12. What is the essential thing if we would avoid 
formality ? 

13. What do you think of prayers that we do not feel ? 

14. What evils arise from the idea that we must al- 
ways bring our prayers to about the same length ? 

15. Do we ask our fathers for all we want at once? 

16. Do we not rather ask for what we need at that 
time ? 

4 



36 HOW TO PRAY. 

1 7. Can we expect our minds to be keenly desirous 
of many things every time we pray ? 

18. What should we do when we have asked for all 
the things that we then feel we need ? 

19. How can we guard against wandering thoughts 
in prayer ? 

20. Is it not often well to think of what we need be- 
fore we pray ? 

21. Is prayer more efficacious for repeating the same 
words ? Matt, 6 : 7. 

22. What does the word vain mean in that passage ? 

23. What is the model Jesus gave us ? Matt. 6 : 
9-13. 

24. -What can you say of its length? 

25. What of the amount of meaning in each clause ? 

26. Did not Jesus give us the example of praying 
longer than this V Luke 6 : 12. 

27. May we not hold communion with God as long 
as the heart desires it V 

28. W r hich of the petitions in the Lord's prayer 
should we always feel ? Matt. 6 : 10, last clause. 

29. What prayer did Jesus commend? Luke 18: 
13, 14. 

30. With what spirit then should we pray ? 

31. WTiat should be avoided in prayer? Matt. 6 : 5. 

32. What kind of prayer has a special promise? — 
James 5 : 16. 

33. Should we pray with enmity in our hearts? — 
Matt. 6 : 14, 15. 

34. Will not God accept whoever comes in sincerity ? 
Ps. 145: 18. 



ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAY. 37 

LESSON XVIII. 

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAY. 

1 . What is said about prayer in these passages ? — ■ 
Matt, 7:7; Luke 18 : 1 ; 1 Tim. 2: 8. 

2. What does God clearly require of us ? 

3. Is not God's will sufficient to decide our duty? 

4. Is it not an act of allegiance to Him ? 

5. What is our appointed means of communication 
with God ? 

6. By neglecting prayer do we not shut ourselves 
off from God ? 

7. What is said of one of God's most honored ser- 
vants ? Gen. 5 : 24. 

8. Could this be understood so as not to include 
prayer ? 

9. Do you know any instance of a thoroughly good 
man who never prays ? 

10. Can you imagine such a one? 

11. What are some of our earliest accounts of inter- 
course with God ? Gen. 3: 8; 9: 8; 12: 1-3; 17: 3, 
4; 26: 2. 

12. What are some of the earliest records of prayer ? 
Gen. 20 : 7 ; Job 42 : 8. 

1*3. Who was the child of prayer ? 1 Sam. 1 : 26, 27. 

14. What example of prayer in 1 Chron. 4:10? 

15. What beautiful instance of public prayer? 1 
Kings 8 : 22-53. 

16. What king prolonged his life by prayer ? Is. 38 : 
2-5. 

1 7. What prophet was mighty in prayer ? James 
5: 17; 1 Kings 18: 36, 38. 



38 ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAY. 

18. What -city was saved by prayer and fasting ? 
Jon. 3: 7-10. 

19. What did Daniel accomplish by prayer ? Dan. 
6: 10, 22, 25-28. 

20. Whose example should be sufficient to lead us to 
prayer ? .Luke 11: 1 . 

21. What proof have we that the Apostles were men 
of prayer ? Acts 1 : 14 ; 3 : 1. 

22. Will you relate the circumstances of Peter's de- 
liverance through the prayers of the Church? Acts 
12: 5-17. 

23. Give an account of the blessing that followed the 
prayers of Paul and Silas ? Acts 16 : 25-34. 

24. What answer to prayer is recorded in Acts 9 : 
40-42. 

25. What incident illustrates the result of a life of 
prayer ? Acts 1 0. 

26. How speedily does God sometimes answer prayer ? 
Is. 65: 24; Dan. 9: 20, 21, 23. 

27. What promises are made to answer prayer? — 
Jer. 29 : 12 ; Is. 30 : 19 ; 1 Peter 3 : 12 ; Ps. 6 : 9 ; 50: 
15; 91: 15. 

28. What strong assurances did Christ ^ive ? Matt. 
7: 7; 21 : 22; John 14: 13, 14. 

29. What blessings do we receive through prayer? 
Ps. 34: 6, 17; 145: 19; Kom. 10: 13; James i: 8, 
first clause. 

30. What encouragements do you find to pray ? 

31. How does God regard persistance in prayer? 
Luke 18: 1. 

32. What advantages have you derived from prayer? 



PROFANITY. 39 

LESSON XIX. 

PROFANITY. 

1. What is written in Ex. 20 : 7 ? 

2. Which commandment is this ? 

3. Under what circumstances were these command- 
ments given? Ex. 19 : 1-13, 16-20. 

4. How were these commandments distinguished from 
the other laws given to the Jews ? Deut. 9 : 10 ; 10 : 4. 

5. What is the meaning of the words " in vain " ? 

6. Could a person who was then realizing the true 
character of God use his name lightly ? 

7. How would a sense of what is right and proper 
teach one to use the name of the Deity ? 

8. How is it often used thoughtlessly through habit ? 
| 9. How does the fact that it is a habit affect our re- 
sponsibility for the act ? 

10. Must not the habit have arisen from failing to 
have a true conception of God's character or sense of 
His presence ? 

1 1 . By what means can we correct a bad habit ? 

12. May not the name be used in an oath with due 
solemnity? 

13. How may the name of the Deity be properly 
used ? 

14. How does an oath affect the force of a promise ? 
Heb. 6: 16. 

15. How does God regard those that swear falsely? 
Mai. 3 : 5. 

16. What is said of the swearer? Zech. 5 : 3. 

17. Does not an oath to strengthen one's assertion 



40 PROFANITY. 

seem to iinp.y that the person does not consider his 
simple word enough ? 

18. By what do some people swear besides the name 
of God ? 

19. What does Christ say about swearing ? Matt. 5 : 
34-37. 

20. What does the thirty-seventh verse mean ? 

21. Should you not have such a character for truth 
that your word will be sufficient ? 

22. Would you believe a person more readily because 
he supported his statements with an oath ? 

23. How do many persons use some name of the 
Deity in common conversation ? 

24. What commandment does this habit directly vio- 
late? 

25. How does such a habit arise ? 

26. Do not many people feel the desire to use excla- 
mations to express strong feeling ? 

27. What are the habits of the young particularly, in 
regard to the use of expletives ? 

28. What do you think of the difficulty of reforming 
careless habits of speaking ? 

29. What exclamations are allowable ? 

30. Are you sure that all you have mentioned are 
right and in good taste ? 

31. Is it desirable to form the habit of using many 
expletives in talking ? 

32. What causes can you mention that lead to the 
violation of the third commandment ? 

33. What practical application can you make of this 
lesson ? 



* OBSERVING^ THE SABBATH. 41 

LESSON XX. 

OBSERVING THE SABBATH. 

1. Who first rested the seventh day after working 
six dcys? Gen. 2:3. 

2. What does sanctified mean ? 

3. What early trace have we of the use of the word 
week? Gen. 29 : 27. 

4. What does it mean in that passage ? 

5. What is the essential idea of the seventh day ? 

6. Would it be possible to be sure of observing the 
same day in all parts of the world ? 

7. What day is generally observed in the Christian 
church as a Sabbath ? 

8. What does it commemorate ? 

9. What are the advantages of observing the same 
day as those about you ? 

10. What other use of the word Sabbath besides the 
seventh day is given ? Lev. 25 : 8. 

11. What is the first positive command given to the 
Israelites in regard to the Sabbath? Ex. 16: 23, 26, 
29, 30. 

12. Where are they commanded to observe the Sab- 
bath in more comprehensive terms? Ex. 20 : 8-11. 

13. What is mentioned first in the list of feasts that 
the Israelites were to celebrate ? Lev. 23 : 3. 

14. What other passages show how prominently the 
Sabbath was enjoined upon them? Ex. 31: 13-15; 
Lev. 26: 2; Neh. 9: 13, 14. 

15. Where is the keeping of the Sabbath included 
in the list of acts that secure a blessing? Is. oG : 2, 
6,7. 



42 OBSERVING THE SABBATH. 

16. Do we not need to keep the day as much as the 
Israelites ? 

17. Why are the ten commandments more binding 
upon us than the other laws that were given to the 
Jews? 

18. What would be the effect upon the individual 
and the community of working all the time without any 
rest? 

19. Docs the institution of the Sabbath seem to you 
a benefit conferred upon us or a duty required of us ? 

20. Is not a change of employment often a rest ? 

21. Should we, then, do the same kind of work Sun- 
day as other days ? 

22. What were the Jews forbidden to do on the Sab- 
bath ? Deut. 5: 14; Neh. 10: 31. 

23. What is one suitable occupation for the Sabbath? 
Ezek. 46 : 3 ; Is. GG : 23. 

24. How does Isaiah describe the keeping of the 
Sabbath and its reward? Is. 58 : 13, 14. 

25. W r hat does Christ teach in regard to the Sab- 
bath? Matt. 12: 1-13; Luke 13: 10-16. 

26. What other miracle did Jesus do on this day? 
John 5 : 1-9. 

27. What general principles should regulate our con- 
duct on the Sabbath ? 

28. Are we improving it rightly if we are not re- 
freshed by its rest for the next week's work ? 

29. Are we hallowing it as we should, if we are not 
spiritually stronger for the contests of the week ? 

30. In what respects do we need it? 

31. What is the Sabbath doing for you? 



OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. 43 

LESSON XXL 

OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. 

1. What is the fifth commandment? Ex. 20: 12. 

2. From whom does the parent receive his authority ? 

3. What command is given in the New Testament ? 
Eph. 6: 1, 2, 3. 

4. From whom do children directly receive the com- 
mand to obey their parents ? 

5. What is the only exception that is made to the 
duty of obedience ? Eph. 6:1. 

6. Should it not be a very plain case, that the parent 
commands what is wrong, to warrant a child in refus- 
ing to obey ? 

7. In all cases of difference of judgment should not 
the child submit to the parent ? 

8. What directions are given to parents ? Prov. 22 : 
6 ; Eph. 6 : 4. 

9. What blessings do children receive from their par- 
ents ? 

10. Should not gratitude leqd to obedience ? 

11. Will not love make us do everything possible to 
please our parents ? 

12. What do children sometimes try to substitute in 
place of obedience ? 

13. Should not the child's confidence in his parents 
superior wisdom secure his obedience ? 

14. What reasons has a child for obedience ? 

15. Can you give any examples of children suffering 
in consequence of disobedience ? 

16. What is said of those who do not obey their par- 
ents ? Prov. HO : 1 7. 



44 OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS. 

1 7. What idea does this figurative language express ? 

18. Do not obedient children make our best men and 
women ? 

19. In what ways do children fail to honor and obey 
their parents ? 

20. What do you think of an obedience that follows 
after considerable delay ? 

21. Should we obey reluctantly and unpleasantly ? 

22. How can a command be disobeyed while strictly 
conforming to its letter ? 

23. W T hat is essential to true obedience ? 

24. Is not disobedience a sin against God ? 

25. How did Christ treat his parents ? Luke 2 : 51. 

26. With what kind of people are disobedient chil- 
dren classed ? 2 Tim. 3:2; Bom. 1 : 30. 

27. What relation can you trace between obedience 
to parents and obedience to God ? 

28. What incident is related in Gen. 27 : 6-30? 

29. Did Jacob do right or wrong in obeying his 
mother ? 

30. W r hat resulted from this act? Gen. 27: 41-43. 

31. W T hen we cease to be children should we still 
obey our parents ? 

32. How should we treat them when, being men and 
women, we act independently ? 

33. What do we still owe them ? 

34. Will not love prompt us to render them happy 
in every way in our power ? 

35. Do you see any improvement you can make in 
your treatment of your parents ? 



OBEDIENCE TO THOSE IK AUTHOPwITY. 45 

LESSON XXII. 

OBEDIENCE TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY. 

1. What is written Heb. 13 : 17 ? 

2. To whom may the first clause apply ? 

3. Is it not necessary that all should learn to obey ? 

4. Will it not be easier to obey God if we have grown 
up with the habit of obeying all rightful authorities ? 

5. How does the habit of disobeying anyone whom 
we should obey, affect our characters ? 

6. Whom besides parents do most children have to 
obey ? 

7. If children disobey their teachers, whom do they 
most injure ? 

8. How does their bad example affect their school- 
mates ? 

9. Can a school prosper in which the scholars are 
disobedient ? 

10. How does disobedience to teachers differ from 
rebellion against srovernnient ? 

11. How do your parents confer authority upon the 
teacher ? 

1 2. Does not the government give the teacher au- 
thority in all schools supported by it ? 

13. Does the necessity for obedience cease with child- 
hood ? 

14. What is said Eph. 6:5? 

15. Does not the same rule apply to all who work for 
others ? 

16. What will be the effect upon any kind of work 
if the subordinates do not obcv orders ? 



46 OBEDIENCE TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY. 

17. Is it not necessary in almost all the business of 
life that one should form the plan and direct its execu- 
tion ? 

1 8. Is not self-control obedience to our nobler facul- 
ties ? 

1 9. What do you think of attempting to show inde- 
pendence by disobedience ? 

20. What is the frequent result of perfect obedience 
in the position in which we are placed ? 

21. What is said about obeying magistrates ? Tit. 
3:1; Rom. 13: 1, 2, 7. 

22. What does God plainly require in these passages ? 

23. What advantages do we derive from government ? 

24. Do we not owe it the support of obedience to its 
laws? 

25. What else is required in regard to magistrates ? 
1 Tim. 2 : 1,2. 

26. In what ways is obedience a law of life ? 

27. Do we not hope to obey God forever ? 

28. What was Christ's teaching upon the subject of 
.pur duties to government ? Matt. 22 : 17-21. 

29. Why are children at the present time more defi- 
cient in obedience to lawful authorities than in former 
ages ? 

30. How can habits of obedience be best inculcated ? 

31. In what ways is the lack of reverence and obe- 
dience to rightful authorities often manifested ? 

32. What evils result to the individual and the com- 
munity from this spirit of opposition to control ? 



IMPROVING THE TIME. 47 



LESSON XXIII. 

IMPROVING THE TIME. 

1. What is said Eph. 5:16. 

2. What is meant by redeeming the time ? 

3. Where else is this duty enjoined ? Col. 4 : 5. 

4. Who gives us time ? 

5. Will He not certainly call us to account for the 
way in which we spend it ? Rom. 14 : 12. 

6. What will be the effect upon us of a due sense of 
our accountability ? 

7. What fact should we always remember ? Gen. 
16 : 13, first clause. 

8. Why can we not afford to lose any time ? 1 Peter 
4 : 7, first clause. 

9. What can we know of the length of our life ? 
James 4 : 14. 

10. How much time do we need to prepare for ano- 
ther world ? 

11. Is there not work enough to do for others to stim- 
ulate us to make the most of our time ? 

12. Does not the cultivation of our own minds and 
hearts demand all the time we can secure ? 

13. Is wasting time a moral act ? 

14. Is it wasted by spending what is needed in rest 
and recreation ? 

15. How should we do whatever work we undertake ? 
Rom. 12: 11; Eccl. 9: 10. 

16. Is not time lost by an indolent manner of work- 
ing ? 



48 IMPROVING THE TIME. 

1 7. Do we not save much time by a systematic ar- 
rangement of our duties ? 

18. In what ways are we in danger of wasting time? 

19. Is it not one of God's best gifts to us ? 

20. If once gone, is it not hopeless to retrieve the I 
loss ? 

21. Is it not frequently frittered away ? 

22. What advantage will there be in inquiring each 
day if we can give a good account of its moments ? 

23. Should we not spend our time in a way that will 
please God ? 

24. How can we best realize the importance of im- 
proving our time ? 

25. Are you in the habit of planning your work be- 
forehand ? 

26. Do you see any ways in which you are in the 
habit of wasting time ? 

27. What prayer may we all offer ? Ps. 90 : 12. 

28. How do our habits in regard to punctuality af- 
fect the amount of time we lose ? 

29. What motives prompt us to apply our best wisdom 
to this subject ? 

30. What occupations may we consider a wise im- 
provement of time ? 

31. In what things may we be busy and yet waste 
our time ? 



PATIENCE* 49 



LESSON XXIY. 



PATIENCE. 

1. What is the literal meaning of the word patience ? 

2. Does patience imply that we do not feel the sor- 
row or vexation ? 

3. What is the best definition of patience that you 
can give ? 

4. Is not trouble or vexation an essential condition 
of patience ? 

5. What are the rewards of patience ? Heb. 6:12. 

6. TV hat advantages make patience seem worth the 
trouble we must bear in gaining it ? 

7. What are the fruits of perfect patience ? James 
1:4. 

8. When you pray for patience are you willing to re- 
ceive the suffering by which it must be learned ? 

9. Who was remarkable for patience ? James 5 : 11. 

10. What did he suffer ? Job 1 : 13-3 9 ; 2 : 7, 9. 

11. How did he bear it ? Job 1 : 20, 21 ; 2 : 10. 

12. How did his friends treat him? Job 11: 1-6; 
15 : 4-6. 

13. What did God say of his friends ? Job 42 : 7, 8. 

14. How did God bless Job ? Job 42 : 10-13. 

15. What does the history of Job teach us ? 

16. Which do we find more difficult to bear patient- 
ly, the daily vexations of life, or its greater sorrows ? 

17. Do we not all have these opportunities of culti- 
vating this £race ? 

18. What thoughts may help us to be patient? — ■ 
Rom. 2:7; James 5 : 7, 8. 



50 PATIENCE. 

19. Is patience a Christian duty? 1 Tbes. 5 : 14; 1 
Tim. 6: 11; 2 Peter 1: 6. 

20. What things require patience ? 

21. Are not trials opportunities for becoming patient ? 
James 1:3. 

22. How may we feel about them ? James 1 : 2. 

23. How does patience affect our happiness ? 

24. From whom can we receive help to live patiently ? 

25. Is not this a grace that we all need to cultivate ? 

26. In what ways does God help us to cultivate this 
virtue ? 

27. How do we affect the happiness of others by our 
patience or the lack of it ? 

28. What reason for patience is given in Heb. 10: 
36? 

29. In whose character is patience a prominent vir- 
tue ? 2 Tim. 3 : 10. 

30. In what pursuit have we need of patience ? — 
Heb. 12: 1. 

31. Who are mentioned as examples of patience in 
James 5 : 10. 

32. What is said of the patient in Eccl. 7 : 8. 






ENDURING AFFLICTIONS. 51 



LESSON XXV. 



ENDURING AFFLICTIONS. 

1 . In what ways may we suffer mentally ? 

2. How may we be afflicted physically ? 

3. What afflictions seem the direct visitation of God ? 

4. What trials may we have through the agency of 
men ? 

5. What sorrows may we experience from our own 
acts? 

6. Though troubles come in so many ways, should 
we not recognize God's providence in them all ? Job 
5:6; Gen. 50 : 20. 

7. Have we not taken the fiVst step toward bearing 
afflictions when we accept them from our Heavenly 
Father ? 

8. How is it natural to receive trials ? 

9. For what purpose does God send us sorrows ? 
Ps. 119: 67; Heb. 12: 11. 

10. Should they not soften our hearts and draw us 
nearer to God ? Ps. 119: 75. 

11. Should they not make us submissive and trustful? 

1 2. May they not increase our fortitude and patience ? 
Rom. 5 : 8. 

13. Should they not prepare our hearts to sympathize 
with others ? 

14. In what different ways may we meet sorrow ? 

15. Which way is the best ? 

16. How will the afflictions of life affect our charac- 
ters if we do not improve by them ? 



52 ENDURING AFFLICTIONS. 

1 7. Are we not necessarily better or worse for afflic- 
tions ? 

18. Are chastisements a proof of God's anger? — 
Heb. 12: 6,. 7. 

1 9. Can we expect to see a reason for all our troubles ? 

20. What assurances have we to sustain us ? Ps. 
34: 19; 1 Cor. 10: 13; 2 Cor. 12: 9. 

21. What fruits may chastenings yield? 2 Cor. 4: 
17; Heb. 12: 11; Rev. 3:19. 

22. Are joys our only blessings ? James 1 : 2. 

23. Who suffered for us ? 1 Peter 3 : 18 ; 4 : 1. 

24. Must we not expect sufferings "in this world? 
Job 5: 7; 1 Peter 4 : 12. 

25. How may we rejoice in them ? 1 Peter 4:13. 

26. Who is our refuge in every sorrow? Ps. 46 : 1. 

27. How may sufferings unite us more closely to 
Christ? Heb. 2 : 10. 

28. What assurance have we of God's sympathy 
with us in all our afflictions ? Is. 63 : 9. 

29. What promises are there of deliverance from 
afflictions? Job 36: 15; Ps. 34: 17, 19. • 

30. What did Christ prophesy for his people ? Matt. 
24: 9. 

31. What instances can you mention of the afflictions 
and persecutions that the Church has suffered ? 

32. What benefits can you trace to those periods of 
trial ? 

33. What ideas have you received from the consid- 
eration of this subject ? 



MEEKNESS. 53 

LESSON XXVI. 

MEEKNESS. 

1. What is meekness ? 

2. Who was the meekest of men ? Num. 12:3. 

3. How did he bear the complaints of the children 
of Israel ? Ex. 15 : 24, 25 ; 16 : 3, 8. 

4. Was he not a great and powerful leader as well 
as a meek man ? 

5. What qualities must he have possessed to have 
succeeded in bringing the Israelites out of bondage as 
he did ? 

6. What is prophesied of Christ ? Is. 53 : 7. 

7. What does Christ say of Himself? Matt. 11 : 29. 

8. What points of Christ's character does Paul in- 
cidentally mention ? 2 Cor. 10: 1. 

9. To whom especially will the gospel be sent ? Is. 
61 : 1;. 29: 19. 

10. What are some of the blessings promised to the 
meek in Psalms? Ps. 22 : 26 ; 25 : 9 ; 37: 11; 76: 
9; 147: 6; 149: 4. 

11. Which requires the greater strength of character, 
to bear provocations meekly or to yield to the impulse 
of the moment ? 

12. What causes the frequent mistake of supposing 
that meekness arises from want of energy or spirit ? 

13. Is meekness such an easy virtue to practice that 
it requires no effort ? 

14. What is the difference between meekness and 
natural insensibility ? 



54 MEEKNESS. 

15. How should we receive deserved reproof? 1 
Peter 2 : 20, first clause. 

16. Is it easy to be blamed ? 

17. How should we behave when the blame is unde- 
served ? 1 Peter 2 : 20, last clause. 

18. How should we reprove others? Gal. 6:1. 

19. How should the desire to correct our faults affect 
our manner of bearing reproof ? 

20. How will a meek spirit make us receive sugges- 
tions from others ? 

21. Does meekness seem a desirable quality for you 
to possess ? 

22. What does Christ say of the meek ? Matt. 5 : 5. 

23. Is it not a Christian virtue? Gal. 5 : 22, 23 ; 2 
Tim. 2 : 24, 25. 

24. What does Paul say of this grace ? Eph. 4 : 1, 
2; 1 Tim. 6: 11; Tit. 3: 2. 

25. Where else in the Bible is meekness enjoined ? 
James 3: 13; 1 Peter 3: 15. 

26. How does God regard a meek spirit ? 1 Peter 
3 : 4 ; Ps. 25 : 9 ; 149 : 4. 

27. Have you need to cultivate meekness? 

28. Does it not seem the virtue that the Bible de- 
lights to honor ? 

29. What opportunities have you for the exercise of 
meekness ? 

30. How does meekness affect our relations with 
others ? 

31. How does Zephaniah address the meek in Zeph. 
2:. 3. 



CHEEHFULMSSS. 55 

LESSON XXVII. 

CHEERFULNESS. 

1. What does Solomon say in Prov. 15 : 13, 15 ; 12 : 
25; 18: 14? 

2. What else is said of a merry heart ? Prov. 17: 22 

3. How does our cheerfulness affect the happiness of 
others ? 

4. W r hat is there that* makes a household more un- 
comfortable than to have its members go about with 
gloomy faces ? 

5. Is cheerfulness a thin£ that we can cultivate, or is 
it entirely natural. 

6. What definition of cheerfulness will best satisfy 
you ? 

7. How should confidence in. God affect our cheerful- 
ness ? 

8. Is there any limit to our causes for thankfulness 
and rejoicing ? 1 Thes. 5 : 16, 18. 

9. Can you fulfill these commands ? 

10. W f hat connection can you trace between cheer- 
fulness and thankfulness ? 

li. AYhat is Paul's example in respect to cheerful- 
ness? 2 Cor. 7:4: Phil. 2: 16, 17. 

12. Is it not a duty to rejoice ? Phil. 4 : 4. 

13. Where else is this enjoined V Col. 1 ; 11 ; Phil. 
3: 1. 

14. Is there not a natural difference in people in this 
respect ? 

15. Will not he who is constantly cheerful, though 
not naturally hopeful, deserve greater credit than a per- 
son possessing a sunny temperament Y 



56 CHEERFULNESS. 

16. Where is this mentioned with other Christian 
graces? Rom. 12: 12. 

17. Do we not all prefer to come in contact with 
those who are cheerful ? 

18. Will not a cheerful face and pleasant word often 
help others bear their burdens ? 

1 9. What reasons should induce you to form the habit 
of being cheerful ? 

20. W T hat obstacles make the endeavor to be cheer- 
ful a difficult one ? 

21. Should not joy be one of the fruits of the spirit 
in our hearts ? Gal, 5 : 22. 

22. What does the Psalmist say ? Ps. 35 : 9 ; 5* 11 ; 
66: 1; 95: 1; 149: 2. 

23. How will it be in heaven ? Rev. 21 : 4. 

24. In whom may we ever rejoice ? 1 Peter 1:8; 
John 16: 22. 

25. What should the kingdom of God be within us ? 
Rom. 14: 17. 

26. What abundant causes for joy do all Christians 
possess ? 

27. W r ill not Christ be better honored by a cheerful 
heart and face ? 

28. What relationship can you show between rejoic- 
ing and cheerfulness ? 

29. What distinctions will you make between rejoic- 
ing, thankfulness, and cheerfulness ? 

30. What is the opposite of cheerfulness ? 

31. Are people most likely to show a lack of cheer- 
fulness at home or in company. 



LOVE TO MAN. 57 

LESSON XXVIII. 

LOVE TO MAX. 

1. What was the old saying? Matt. 5 : 43. 

2. Did Christ approve of such a distinction ? Matt. 
5: 44. 

3. What kind of treatment would love secure to all 
men ? 

4. Could anything else give as strong security that 
all should be treated fairly ? 

5. What command did Jesus give as summing up our 
duties to our neighbors ? Matt. 22 : 39. 

6. Relate the circumstances under which this was 
spoken. Matt. 22: 35-40; Mark 12: 28-33. 

7. How differently are the circumstances related in 
Luke 10: 25-28? 

8. Do you think the evangelists are relating the same 
story in these passages ? 

9. How did the lawyer expect to entangle Jesus by 
his question ? 

10. What parable did Jesus speak to explain his 
meaning? Luke 10 : 29-35. 

1 1 . Where is Samaria ? 

12. Who were the Samaritans ? 2 Kings 17 : 24. 

13. Give an account of their first settlement in Sa- 
maria. 2 Kings 17: 25-41. 

14. Why was this land without inhabitants and ready 
to receive them? 2 Kings 17 : 5, 22, 23. 

15. What reasons for feeling would there be between 
the Jews and the Samaritans ? 

16. How were the Samaritans regarded by the Jews ? 
John 4 : 9. 



58 LOVE TO MAN. 

1 7. From this view of the feelings of the two nations 
how much does the term neighbor mean ? 

18. Does it have any limitations ? 

19. What idea do you draw from the parable of what 
is meant by love ? 

20. Does not the expression " Thou shalt love thy 
neighbor as thvself " include whatever duties to man 
can not be contained in definite commandments ? — : 
Rom. 13: 9. 

21. Where else does Paul sum up our duties with 
this concise statement? Gal. 5: 14. 

22. What does James call this command ? James 
2:8. 

23. Had this command been given before Christ gave 
it? Lev. 19: 18. 

24. How many times have we found it in the Bible ? 

25. May we not fairly expect that all our duties to 
men can be referred to this ? 

26. Do we not suppose it to mean something that by 
the grace of God we may hope to attain ? 

27. Does it suppose that we feel alike toward all ? 

28. Does it not require a warmer, kinder feeling 
toward men as men than is common or natural ? 

29. Should we not strive for a feeling of interest and 
kindness toward all men. 

30. Do vou reallv desire to attain this feeling ? 

31. What does it mean to love our neighbor as our- 
selves ? 

32 How would the world be changed by obedience 
to this command ? 






THE LAW OF LOVE. 59 



LESSON XXIX. 



THE LAW OF LOVE. 

1. What duty is plainly required in the following 
passage? Matt. 22: 39. 

2. Which are the words in this passage not easily 
understood ? 

3. What difficulties opcur to you in obeying this com- 
mand practically ? 

4. How does personal friendship differ from the love 
required by this rule ? 

5. What is there in the nature of such friendship 
that would prevent its being extended to all men ? 

6. Towards what classes of people are we likely to 
feel indifferent ? 

7. What feeling do we naturally have towards those 
whose characters we cannot respect ? 

8. What causes us to feel repulsion towards some 
persons ? 

9. What kind of love may we have for those to 
whom we cannot give the love of complaisance ? 

10. What more than a feeling of pity is required of 
us? 

11. How will the love that the Bible requires change 
the indifference that we feel towards many of our fel- 
low men ? 

12. How will it affect the instinctive aversion that 
we feel towards some ? 

13. In what cases will love be increased by personal 
contact ? 



€0 THE LAW OF LOVE. 

14. In what cases may kindly feelings be promoted 
by having but little intercourse ? 

15. Which will others like best to receive from us, 
pity or sympathy ? 

16. What feeling is it that sometimes makes people 
say that they do not want to be pitied ? 

1 7. Is it a brotherly feeling that we want to possess, 
or something that could be construed into a sense of 
superiority ? 

18. How should we love others ? 1 John 3:18. 

19. Should we not be willing to make sacrifices to 
make others happier ? 

20. How can we attain this universal love to the race ? 

21. Does not such love require a change of heart ? 

22. Should it not be one of the manifest fruits of re- 
generation ? 

23. Should we not make it a subject of earnest prayer 
and effort ? 

24. How does it change our feelings towards others 
to treat them kindly ? 

25. Should we not feel so that we can sincerely treat 
all kindly ? 

26. Should we not always respect their interests and 
feelings ? 

27. Is not love the great law of Christ's gospel ? 1 
John 4 : 7, 8, 20, 21. 

28. W'hat more than anything else distinguishes 
Christ's gospel from other religions ? 

29. What motives will help us to attain this grace ? 
Acts 17: 26; Matt. 13: 33; 1 John 4 : 11. 



LOVE TO ENEMIES. 61 

LESSON XXX, 

LOVE TO ENEMIES. 

1. What saying was current among the Jews ? Matt. 
5: 43. 

2. What direction was given to the Israelites in re- 
gard to the Ammonites and Moabites who had been 
hostile to them ? Deut. 23 : 6. 

3. Is it right to ha-te men under any circumstances ? 
1 John 2: 9; 3: 15. 

4. How did Christ say we should feel towards those 
who hate and injure us ? Matt. 5 : 44. 

5. What strong reason is given for this command ? 
Matt. 5 : 45. 

G. Did not God love us when we were still enemies 
to him ? Rom. 5:8. 

7. Is it not a merely natural feeling to love our 
friends ? Matt. 5 : 46. 

8. What direction was given to Christians for the 
treatment of their persecutors ? Rom. 12 : 14. 

9. How should we treat enemies ? Rom. 12 : 20. 

10. Should we ever have the feeling of enmity to- 
wards others ? 

11. What was the old custom in regard to injuries ? 
Matt. 5 : 38. 

12. What was Christ's command upon this subject? 
Matt. 5 : 39. 

13. Should we avenge our own injuries ? Rom. 12 : 
19; Lev. 19: 18. 

14. How did Paul recognize this principle ? Rom. 
12: 17, 21. 



62 LOVE TO ENEMIES. 

15. How does what is required of Christians differ 
from what was demanded of the Israelites when they 
came out of bondage ? Matt. 5 : 21-48. 

16. Though the standard is a high one, is it not our 
duty to try and live up to it ? 

1 7. Has the world lived up to Christ's laws so per- 
fectly that it now needs a more spiritual code ? 

18. Can it ever need anything higher than to be per- 
fect as God is perfect ? 

19. When we have been injured how should we treat 
the offender ? 

20. Is not the returning of good for evil a triumph 
of Christian grace ? • , 

21. How does it often affect the person who has of- 
fended us ? 

22. Should we ever indulge such feelings towards 
others that we cannot pray for a blessing to come upon 
them ? 

23. Will not the love of God in our hearts lead us to 
love and help our fellow-men ? 1 John 3 : 17. 

24. What feeling should we have towards those who 
do wrong, and what should we do for them ? 

25. What disciple did Jesus most love? John 19: 
26 ; 21 : 20*, 24. 

26. Whose gospel and epistles most abound with pas- 
sages about love ? 

27. In what way does David speak of his enemies in 
the Psalms ? Ps. 70 : 2, 3 ; 69 : 22-28. 

28. How do you. explain this and many similar pas- 



THE GOLDEN KULi. 63 



LESSON XXXI. 

THE GOLDEN RULE. 

1. What is the text that is called by this name ? 
Matt. 7: 12. 

2. Is this anything more than to express in action, 
" Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself " ? 

3. Will not this rule solve many a doubt concerning 
our treatment of others ? 

4. Can we not carry it into the details of daily life ? 

5. How will it make us regard our neighbors feel- 
ings ? Rom. 12: 10. 

6. How will it make us act in respect to their inter- 
ests ? Phil. 2 : 4. 

7. Shall we not try and see how things look from our 
neighbor's stand-point ? 

8. What shall we do concerning temperaments that 
differ from our own ? 

9. Mention some of the ways in which we can carry 
out the " Golden Rule " in the family ? 

10. How can children follow it in school and at play ? 

11. Eow can it be obeyed in business ? 

1 2. How can it be applied to all our relations with 
others ? 

13. Are you in the habit of deciding your actions by 
it? 

14. Do you wish to make it the guiding principle in 
your intercourse with others ? 

15. Is there any limit in its application? Luke 6: 
33 3 36. 



64 THE GOLDEN RULE. 



16. According to our ability should we not do good 
to all that need ? Gal.. 6 : 10. 

1 7. What class has an especial claim upon us in that 
passage ? 

18. Is not our love for Christians a test of disciple- 
ship?. 1 John 3: 14. 

19. What should give us a strong bond of sympathy 
with them ? 

20. Does not Christ emphatically enjoin this upon 
us? John 15: 17. 

21. Was not His Church to be distinguished by the 
mutual love of its members ? John 13 : 34, 35. 

22. Should our love for Christians be at all bounded 
by the Church organization to which we belong ? 

23. Should it not include all those who love Christ 
in sincerity ? 

24. Ought we not then to feel pity and kindness to- 
wards all men as men ? 

25. Should we not feel special love and sympathy 
towards those who are Christ-like ? 

26. In what respects may the Christian Church be 
compared to the family ? 

27. Should the feeling we have towards Christians 
in the least prevent the kindest feelings and acts to- 
wards those who do not love Christ ? 

28. What special claim would this latter class have 
upon our interest ? 

29. What class of people should we expect to find 
most obedient to the 1* Golden Eule " ? 

30. Is it more binding upon one person than another ? 



FORGIVENESS. 65 

LESSON XXXII. 

FORGIVENESS. 

1. What is one of the greatest blessings that we can 
receive ? Ps. 32 : 1. 

2. Do we not all need forgiveness ? Rom. 3 : 23 ; 
Eccl. 7 : 20 ; 1 John 1 : 8. 

3. How should humility in view of our own sins make 
us feel towards others ? 

4. How should thankfulness for our own forgiveness 
lead us to treat others ? 

5. What parable did Christ speak on this subject ? 
Matt. 18: 23-34. 

6. Wliat does this parable teach on the subject of 
forgiveness ? 

7. Is the spirit manifested by that servant a common 
one? 

8. Is it hard or easy to forgive those who have of- 
fended you ? 

9. Can we expect that God will forgive us if we re- 
fuse to forgive others ? Matt. 6 : 14, 15. 

10. Can you offer the Lord's prayer with an unfor- 
giving heart ? Matt. 6:12. 

11. Should we not examine our hearts before offering 
that prayer ? 

1 2. Are you sure that you want that petition in Matt. 
6:12 answered ? 

13. In offering that prayer what do you really ask if 
you have not forgiven some slight or injury ? 

14. Do you suppose God will accept your worship if 
you will not forgive others ? Mark 11 : 25, 26. 



66 FORGIVENESS. 

15. How are we inclined to feel after we have for- 
given a person once if he commits the same fault again ? 

16. What does Jesus teach us ? Matt. 18 : 21, 22. 

17. Do we not need God's forgiveness repeatedly for 
the same offence ? 

18. How does it seem for us to deny the same favor 
to our fellow-men ? 

19. With what spirit is this duty enjoined ? Eph. 
4: 32. 

20. What sublime example of forgiveness have we ? 
Luke 23 : 34. 

21. What martyr showed a similar spirit ? Acts 7 : 
60. 

22. What should precede forgiveness? Luke 17: 
3,4. 

23. What is the meaning of forgiveness ? 

24. Is it not very clearly indicated as a duty ? Matt. 
18: 35. 

25. What occasions do we often have to forgive 
others ? 

26. Do we not all have opportunities to exercise this 
grace ? 

27. Do you desire to do it heartily and cheerfully ? 

28. Do we expect God's forgiveness if we have not 
repented ? 

29. How should we treat others if they do not repent 
of the wrongs they have done us ? 

30. W T hat kind of injuries do we find it hardest to 
forgive ? 

31. What motives should prompt us to forgive others ? 






CHARITY. 67 

LESSON XXXIII. 

CHARITY. 

1. Which does Paul call the greatest Christian vir- 
tue? 1 Cor. 13: 13. 

2. What are the different meanings of the word 
Charity ? 

3. Will anything else make amends for the lack of 
it? 1 Cor. 13: 1, 2, 3. 

4. Are we not liable to overlook the prominence due 
to this grace ? 

5. How does it show itself? 1 Cor. 13 : 4-7. 

6. Are not these verses worthy of being kept in mind 
as tests of our charity ? 

7. In what ways are we likely to fail of possessing 
such charity ? 

8. What injunction follows this chapter on charity? 
1 Cor. 14 : 1. 

9. How can charity enter into all that we do ? 1 
Cor. 16: 14. 

10. How is charity extolled in Col. 3 : 14? 

11. What Church abounded in it? 2 Thes. 1 : 3. 

12. What does Paul say to Timothy ? 1 Tim. 1:5; 
4: 12; 2 Tim. 2: 22. 

13. In what lists of virtues is it mentioned? 2 Tim. 
3: 10; Tit. 2: 2; 2 Peter 1 : 7. 

14. What position does Peter assign to charity ? 1 
Peter 4 : 8, first clause. 

15. What will it do? 1 Peter 4 : 8, last clause. 

16. How do we often violate the spirit of charity in 
judging the conduct of others ? 



65 CHARITY. 

1 7. What did Christ say emphatically upon this sub- 
ject ? Matt. 7:1. 

18. Are we not likely to make mistakes in trying to 
judge others ? 

19. By whom only should we be judged? 1 Cor. 
4 : 3, 4. 

20. Is it not impossible to be certain of another's 
motives ? 

21. Do we not sometimes need so far to estimate 
another's conduct as to know whether to trust him with 
certain duties ? 

22. What is the value of our judgment of another's 
conduct when we do not know his motives ? 

23. Should we not give the kindest possible interpre- 
tation to another's conduct. 

24. Ought we not to allow everyone the fullest liberty 
of conscience without impugning his honesty ? 

25. What motive is given for not judging our brother ?. 
Rom. 14: 10. 

2G. Will not a proper degree of humility and love 
guard us against judging others ? 

27. W T hat need is there of special care in this matter ? 

28. How can you carry out in daily life the command 
" Judge not." 

29. What evils have you known to arise from the 
habit of judging others ? 

30. What kind of judgment are those likely to give 
who are in the habit of judging their neighbors' lives 
and characters ? 

31. What right have we ever to judge others? 



BEXEVOLEXCE. 69 

LESSON XXXIV. 

BEXEVOLEXCE. 

1. With, what meaning is this word generally used ? 

2. Are there not always poor among us who need as- 
sistance ? Matt. 26: 11; Deut. 15: 11. 

3. Should it not be a matter of principle with us to 
do what we can for others ? Luke 11 : 41. 

4. How did God require the Jews to treat their poor 
brethren? Deut. 15: 10. 

5. What provision was made for the poor under the 
Hebrew law ? Deut. 24: 19-21 ; Lev. 19 : 9, 10. 

6. What proof have we that this custom continued ? 
Kuth 2: 2-7, 17, 23. 

7. What consideration was shown to the poor by the 
laws of the Israelites ? Deut. 24 : 12, 13, 17. 

8. How did Job strongly assert that he had befriend- 
ed the poor ? Job 31 : 16, 17, 19-22. 

9. How were the Jews to celebrate the feast in honor 
of their deliverance from death ? Es. 9 : 22. 

10. What was this feast called, and when observed ? 
Es. 9: 21, 26. 

11. What kind of a fast is acceptable to God ? Is. 
58: 7. 

12. What was the custom in the early Christian 
Church in regard to giving ? 1 Cor. 16 : 1, 2. 

13. How can we practically follow their example ? 

14. For what purpose was a contribution collected 
among the early Christians? Acts 11 : 29; Rom. 15: 
26. 

15. Who carried this aid to Jerusalem ? Acts 11 : 30. 



70 BENEVOLENCE. 

16. Who was distinguished for alms-giving? Acts 
10: 1,2. 

1 7. What tokens of God's approval did he receive ? 
Acts 10: 3-6, 34, 35, 44. 

18. What commands are given us on this subject? 
Heb. 13: 16; Gal. 6: 10. 

19. What blessings are promised to the benevolent ? 
Ps. 41: 1-3; Prov. 14 : 21; 19: 17; Luke 6 : 38. 

20. How does Christ consider charitable works ? 
Matt. 25 : 31-40. 

21. With what spirit should we give ? 2 Cor. 9 : 7. 

22. What caution does Jesus give ? Matt. 6 : 1,2. 

23. What are modern ways of falling into this error? 

24. How did Christ tell us to give? Matt. 6 : 3, 4. 

25. Should we not set apart some of our income for 
charitable purposes ? 

26. How can children be taught to form the habit of 
giving ? 

27. As far as possible should they not give what is 
at their own disposal ? 

28. What argument urges us to this duty ? 2 Cor. 
8:9. 

29. Is it the amount given which God regards ? 2 
Cor. 8: 12; Luke 21: 1-4. 

30. What promises does God make to the poor ? 
Pg, 34: 6; 68: 10. 



SUPPORT OF RELIGION. 71 



LESSON XXXV 



SUPPORT OF RELIGION. 

1. What was one of the earliest instances of worship ? 
Gen. 4 : 4. 

2. What was one common mode of worship in the 
early history of the world ? 

3. Who generally offered the sacrifice in each family ? 
Gen. 8: 20; 12: 7. 

4. Was not the expense of the service in the victim 
offered ? 

5. W 7 hat was the rule for selecting offerings ? Deut. 
15 : 21 ; Lev. 1 : 3, 10; Mai. 1 : 8, 13, 14. 

6. Who gave tithes to the priest of God after a suc- 
cessful expedition ? Gen. 14 : 18-20. 

7. Who first voluntarily promised a tenth of all he 
should gain to the Lord ? Gen. 28 : 20-22. 

8. In what nation was a regular priesthood institut- 
ed ? Ex. 28: 1. 

9. Who was their first ordained priest ? 

10. Where were the Israelites at this time? Ex. 
19: 1 ; Num. 33: 15, 16. 

11. Did not certain parts of the sacrifices belong to 
the priest? Lev. 10: 12-15. 

12. In commemoration of what event were the Israel- 
ites to consecrate their first born to the Lord ? Num. 
3: 13. 

13. What substitution was made ? Num. 3 : 41. 

14. To what office were the Levites assigned ? Num. 
3 : 6-9 ; 1 : 50, 51. 






72 SUPPORT OP RELIGION. 

15. How were they supported? Deut. 14: 28, 29; 
Num. 35 : 2, 3, 7. 

16. What was the command when they appeared at 
their solemn feasts ? Deut. 16 : 16, 17. 

17. What part of their income were the Jews re- 
quired to devote to the support of religion ? Lev. 27 : 
30, 32. 

18. Who is our sacrifice for sin ? Heb. 9 : 24-26. 

1 9. In what ways can we make sacrifices for Christ ? 

20. Are definite laws made in the new dispensation 
for the support of God's ministers ? 

21. What general principle is laid down ? Luke 
10: 7; 1 Cor. 9 : 14. 

22. What was Paul's practice when he was among 
the Corinthians? 2 Cor. 12: 13, 14. 

23. How was he supported while he was among them ? 
2 Cor. 11: 9; 1 Cor. 4:12. 

24. What reason can you give for his care not to be 
chargeable to the churches ? 2 Thes. 3 : 9-12 ; 1 Cor. 
9. 18, 19. 

25. Among what other people did he support himself 
by labor ? 1 Thes. 2 : 9. 

26. How did he recognize his right to have been sup- 
ported by them ? 2 Thes. 3 : 9 ; 1 Cor. 9 : 6-14. 

27. How does God regard ministering to His saints ? 
Matt. 10: 40-42; Heb. 6: 10. 

28. Can we give more than a just return for the 
blessings religion brings us ? 

29. Should not gratitude lead us to try and spread 
the knowledge of the gospel throughout the world V 

30. What was Christ's command ? Matt. 28 : 19, 20, 



CONFESSION. 73 

LESSON XXXVI. 

CONFESSION. 

1. What should we confess ? Matt. 3 : 6, last clause. 

2. What do you mean by sin ? 

3. Against whom is all sin committed? Ps. 51 : 4. 

4. Should not all sin be confessed to God ? Rom. 
14: 11. 

5. When we have wronged another should we not be 
willing to confess it to him ? 

6. Can we hope God will accept our worship while 
we are unwilling to make peace with our brother ? 
Matt. 5 : 23. 24. 

7. If we have a difficulty with another can we hope 
to be reconciled without confessing whatever we have 
done that is wrong ? 

8. When sin becomes oppressive, is it not a relief to 
confess it ? 

9. Upon what condition did Solomon pray for bless- 
ings upon Israel ? 1 Kings 8 : 33, 34. 

10. What does David say? Ps. 32 : 5. 

11. Upon what occasion did he confess his sin and 
mourn over it ? 2 Sam. 24 : 10. 

12. Does he not seem ready to confess when he had 
tinned ? Ps. 51. 

13. What state of mind does confession imply ? 

14. Is it not often hindered by pride ? 

15. Will it not be accompanied by a purpose to do 
better ? 

1G. What promise is made to those who confess their 
sins ? 1 John 1:9; Job 33 : 27, 28. 



74 CONFESSION. 

17. What contrast is presented between the man that 
covereth his sins and the one that confesseth them ? 
Prov. 28: 13. 

18. What is meant by confess in 1 John 4:2? 

19. Is not a public profession of religion a very di- 
rect way of confessing Christ ? 

20. Is not the act accompanied by a confession of 
sin ? 

21. What besides confessing our sins is implied in 
the very act itself ? 

22. What ordinances did Christ institute ? Matt. 
28: 19; Luke 22: 19, 20. 

23. What is said of those who confess Christ?— 
Luke 12 : 8. 

24. What is said of those who are ashamed of Christ ? 
Mark 8 : 38. 

25. Is not a public acknowledgment of our faith in 
Christ due to Him ? 

26. Is not our testimony due to those whom our for- 
mer example has influenced wrongly ? 

27. What promise is contained in Matt. 10 : 32. 

28. With what duty and promise is confession closely 
united? Rom. 10: 9, 10. 

29. What is said of him who confesses Christ ? 1 
John 4 : 15. 

30. In what ways can we confess Christ ? 

31. What can hinder the confession of sin and the 
acknowledgment of Christ ? 

32. What motives should lead us to this course ? 



COURTESY. 75 

LESSON XXXVII. 

COURTESY. 

1. What command is given in the last clause of 
1 Peter 3:8? 

2. Will not the very spirit of love show itself in 
courtesy ? 

3. What does courtesy require of us ? 

4. From whom did Paul receive courteous treatment 
on his way to Pome ? Acts 27 : 3; 28: 7. 

5. Is it not worthy of notice that the fact of the cour- 
tesy of these men is preserved so long ? 

6. Does not a courteous manner enhance the value 
of an act of kindness ? 

7. Do we not often regard the manner in which a 
thing is done as much as the act itself ? 

8. What instance have we of courteous dealing in 
ancient times ? Gen. 23 : 3-16. 

9. What does Solomon say in his description of a 
virtuous woman ? Prov. 31 : 26. 

10. What exhortation does Paul give ? Pom. 12 : 10. 

1 1 . How can we carry out this requirement ? 

12. How did Jacob treat Esau when he wished to 
turn away his brother's wrath? Gen. 32: 3-6,13, 
16-20. 

13. What does Solomon say? Prov. 15 : 1. 

14. Do we not all like to receive courteous treatment 
from others ? 

15. What is the general practice in regard to cour- 
teous behavior ? 

1Q, Can we not all cultivate courteous habits ? 



76 COURTESY. 

1 7. Where should courtesy have its origin, primarily, 
to be really valuable ? 

18. Should we not care so much for others feelings 
that we will take the trouble to treat them courteously ? 

1 9. Should not special care be taken to treat each 
other with courtesy in the family ? 

20. Should we not be as considerate of the feelings 
of our friends as of strangers V 

21. Which good manners will be the most pleasing, 
those that are reserved for company or those that are 
the constant expression of kind feeling V 

22. W^hen is it of the highest importance that we 
should begin ? 

23. Ought we to exclude any person or class from 
courteous treatment ? 

24. Is not a lack of courtesy often the result of want 
of thought ? 

25. What wrong feeling is the parent of much dis- 
courtesy ? 

26. Could we be discourteous if we were perfectly 
free from selfishness ? 

27. Is it enough to feel well disposed toward others 
in a general way ? 

28. Does it not require care to meet their feelings in 
little things ? 

29. Is not kindly consideration for others in little 
things a duty ? 

30. Are not courteous manners worth the effort it 
will cost to possess them ? 









SINCERITY. 77 

LESSON XXXVIII. 

SINCERITY. 

1. What is the derivation and present meaning of 
this word ? 

2. Upon what conditions did David say his children 
should receive the promise ? 1 Kings 2 : 4. 

3. What did Joshua say to the children of Israel in 
his parting address ? Josh. 24 : 14. 

4. What prayer does Paul offer for the Philippians ? 
Phil. 1 : 10. 

5. In what does Paul rejoice ? 2 Cor. 1:12. 

6. What did Paul wish the Corinthians to prove by 
their gifts ? 2 Cor. 8 : 8. 

7. How is Nathanael described by Jesus ? John 1 : 
47. 

8. Will God receive insincere worship ? John 4 : 24. 

9. How does Jesus speak of hypocrites ? Matt. 23 : 
13, 14, 23, 25. 

10. Does not Jesus regard hypocrisy with special ab- 
horrence ? Matt. 23: 27, 29; Matt. 24: 51. 

11. How do we regard hypocrites ? 

12. Can anything make amends to us for hypocrisy ? 

13. Are we not willing to pardon many faults in a 
person of whose sincerity we feel sure ? 

14. How can you reconcile what is sometimes thought 
to be a conflict between sincerity and courtesy ? 

15. Does courtesy require us to treat others more 
kindly than we ought to feel toward them ? 

16. If we think it would not be insincere to treat 
certain persons politely, is the remedy in rude behavior 
or in a change of feeling ? 



78 SINCERITY. 

17. Would it be right to make great protestations of 
affection where we felt but a moderate degree of it ? 

18. What does the Apostle say? Rom. 12: 9, first 
clause. 

19. Does sincerity require that we tell others if we 
think ill of them ? 

20. Would we not better examine whether we are 
not violating the spirit of charity? 1 Cor. 13 : 5. 

21. Does sincerity at all demand that we tell all we 
think ? 

22. Is it not consistent with prudence, courtesy, and 
reserve ? 

23. Ought we not to be more careful not to speak Or 
act with insincerity ? 

24. With what benediction does Paul close his Epis- 
tle to the Ephesians ? Eph. 6 : 24. 

25. In what ways may we be insincere ? 

26. How can we secure greater sincerity in our lives ? 

27. How may we be insincere in our intercourse with 
our friends ? 

28. How may we show insincerity in our business re- 
lations ? 

29. What great danger is there if we try to describe 
our feelings ? 

30. Is it your impression that sincerity or double- 
dealing is the general practice ? 

31. Is it a fault into which we are in danger of fall- 
ing before we are aware of it, or is its very commence- 
ment sure to make itself noticed ? 

32. How do we regard the person in whose sincerity 
we have perfect confidence ? 



TRUTHFULNESS. .79 

LESSON XXXIX. 

TRUTHFULNESS. 

1. What is said of God ? Ex. 34 : 6 ; Deut. 32 : 4. 

2. Is it not our perfect reliance on His truthfulness 
that inspires our confidence in His promises ? 

3. Are we not sure that His word will never fail ? 
Ps. 100: 5; 146: 6. 

4. What kind of men did Moses appoint for rulers ? 
Ex. 18 : 21. 

5. What injunctions are given in regard to truth ? 
Zech. 8:16; Eph. 4 : 15, 25. 

6. What is said of liars ? Rev. 21 : 8 ; 22 : 15. 

7. How does God regard lying lips? Prov. 6 : 1G, 
17; 12: 22. 

8. What testimony against lying do we find in Ps. 
11.9: 163. 

9. How do the righteous regard all lying? Prov. 
13: 5. 

10. Which of the ten commandments forbids false- 
hood? Ex. 20: 16. 

11. With what besides our lips can we deceive others ? 

12. May we not speak literal truth in such a way as 
to convey a false idea ? 

13. What difference is there between this and ordi- 
nary falsehood ? 

14. May we not deceive by telling a part of the truth 
and suppressing the rest ? 

15. Is everything whereby we intend to deceive 
others, wrong ? 






80 TRUTHFULNESS. 

16. Do we not often fail of truthfulness by inaccuracy 
of statement? 

17. Should we not be careful to say nothing that we 
do not know to be true ? 

18. Is there not danger of giving a false coloring by 
exaggeration ? 

19. If we like to tell a fine story, are we careful 
enough to tell one that is exactly true ? 

20. How many ways can you mention in which we 
can deceive ? 

21. Will you give a definition of falsehood compre- 
hensive enough to include all its forms ? 

22. Why is it wrong to deceive ? 

23. Do we not believe what some people say without 
making any allowances ? 

24. What characteristics will insure a person this 
implicit belief? 

25. How can we ascertain whether our simple state- 
ment is believed just as we give it, or not ? 

26. Do we not all need to exercise care always to 
tell the truth ? 

27. Do we not often need principle to keep us from 
deceiving ? 

28. Upon whom is a blessing pronounced? Ps. 32: 
2; Prov. 12: 19. 

29. Is it ever right to deceive ? 

30. Is the sin diminished if we try to deceive and do 
not succeed ? 



SINS OF THE TONGUE. 81 



LESSON XL. 



SINS OF THE TONGUE. 

1. Is not the tongue a very effectual instrument for 
good or evil ? James 3 : 9. 

2. Is it not difficult to control it ? James 3 : 8. 

3. If uncontrolled will it not say many things that 
we shall afterwards regret ? 

4. What is said of him who offends not in word ? 
James 3 : 2. 

5. Of what importance will our words be in the fu- 
ture? Matt. 12: 3 7. 

6. Shall we not be held to strict account for them? 
Matt. 12: 36. 

7. Where is one of the best places to commence in 
controlling the tongue ? Matt. 12 : 34, 35. 

8. What is said of fitting words? Prov. 15 : 23; 
25: 11. 

9. What is said in Prov. 15 : 2, 4, 7 ? 

10. Do not many of the sins of the heart express 
themselves through the lips ? 

11. What sins of the tongue have been already men- 
tioned in the last lesson ? 

12. What evil is mentioned in the last clause of Ps. 
5: 9? 

13. Is not flattery often used as a means of doiirj; 
evil ? Prov. 29 : 5. 

14. Is flattery agreeable when we realize that it is 
such ? Prov. 28 : 23. 

15. What is. said of the flatterer? Prov. 20: 19; 
Ps. 12: 3. 



82 SINS OF THE TONGUE. 

16. What other class of persons is mentioned in the 
last passage ? 

17. Is not the habit of repeating what we hear of 
others the source of much mischief ? Prov. 26 : 20. 

18. What does the wise man say of such? Prov. 
11 : 13. 

19. Of what class did Paul speak with disapproval ? 
2 Thes. 3: 11; 1 Tim. 5: 13. 

20. What command was given to the Israelites ? — 
Lev. 19: 16. 

21. Is it not a good rule to speak no evil of your 
neighbor? James 4 : 11. 

22. Why is it not wise to talk much of our neighbor's 
affairs ? 

23. Why does this subject deserve our special atten- 
tion ? 

24. Is speaking fretfully wrong, or only disagreeable ? 

25. Should we not avoid speaking impatiently? 

26. Should we not beware of vexing and teasing 
others ? 

27. What sins of the tongue can you mention ? 

28. Why are sins of the tongue so common ? 

29. What are the best means of avoiding them? 

30. What great evils are produced in the world by 
sins of the tongue ? 

31. Which of the sins of the tongue are most diffi- 
cult to give up ? 



ANGER. 83 

LESSON XLL 

ANGER. 

1. What is said of him that ruleth his spirit ? Prov 
16: 32. 

2. What does Solomon say of him who cannot rule 
his spirit ? Prov. 25 : 28. 

3. What kind of men does the Bible say retain an- 
£er ? Eccl. 7:9. 

4. What injunction against anger is found in Ps. 37 : 



b 



5. If we feel anger should we express it in words or 
control the expression of it ? 

6. Will not angry words increase the passion in our- 
selves and excite it in others ? Prov. 15 : 1. 

7. Is the indulgence of anger a proof of wisdom or 
folly? Prov. 19: 11. 

8. What is said of anger in Prov. 27:4, first clause? 

9. With whom are we forbidden to keep company ? 
Prov. 22 : 24, 25. 

10. What is said of him that is slow to anger? — 
Prov. 14 : 29. 

11. What contrast is there in the influence of the 
wrathful man and the one that is slow to anger ? Prov. 
15: 18. 

12. What does the angry man do? Prov. 29 : 22. 

13. What is said of the hasty man? Prov. 29 : 20. 

14. What are we commanded to lay aside? Eph. 
4: 31; Col. 3: 8. 

15. What is said about anger in the sermon on the 
mount? Matt. 5 : 22. 

8 



84 ANGER. 

16. Will you mention as fully as you can the evils 
that anger causes in the world ? 

17. What reason have we to believe that God will 
overrule it for good ? Ps. 76 : 10. 

18. Does the fact that God overrules evil for good 
diminish our responsibility for the doing wrong ? 

19. Is it not the part of wisdom to restrain angry 
feelings? Prov. 12: 16. 

20. What exhortation upon this subject is found in 
James 1:19, 20. 

21. Is not the testimony of the Bible very strong 
against anger? 

22. Does it not emphatically pronounce it foolish and 
wicked ? 

23. Do you thinK anger is a very common fault, or 
not? 

24. What things excite anger ? 

25. In what ways do we show it ? 

26. How may we learn to control it ? 

27. Will it not lead us to do and say many things 
that we would gladly recall ? 

28. Can we feel sure to what an ungoverned temper 
may lead ? 

29. How many passages have we found in the book 
pf Proverbs about anger ? 

30. By whom was the book written? 

31. What is said of his wisdom ? 1 Kings 3 : 11, 12. 



PEACE. 85 

LESSQN XLIL 

PEACE. 

1. Upon whom does Christ pronounce a blessing in 
Matt. 5 : 9. 

2. What is said of heavenly wisdom ? James 3:17, 
18. 

3. What exhortation does Paul give ? Rom. 12 : 18. 

4. What does Peter say on this subject ? 2 Peter 
3: 14. 

5. What final blessing does Paul write to the Corin- 
thians ? 2 Cor. 13: 11. 

6. By what title is God invoked in several of our 
most beautiful benedictions ? Pom. 15:33; 1 Thes. 
5: 23; Heb. 13: 20, 21. 

7. What blessings did Peter desire for the disciples 
of Christ ? 2 Peter 1 : 2. 

8. With what blessing did Paul close his letter to 
the Ephesians ? Eph. 6 : 23. 

9. What is enjoined upon us in Heb. 12 : 14 ? 

10. What exhortation is given to Christians? 1 
Thes. 5 : 13. 

1 1 . Is not peace one of our greatest blessings ? Phil. 
4: 7; Is. 26: 3. 

12. Who has made our peace with God? Eph. 2: 
13, 14, 15. 

13. Is it not our duty to strive to live peaceably with 
others? Eom. 14: 19. 

14. Do we not dislike to live with a contentious per- 
son? Prov. 17: 1 ; 21: 19; 27: 15. 

15. What does the Psalmist say of peace? Ps. 34: 
14. 



86 PEACE. 

16. What does Solomon say of a contentious man? 
Prov. 26 : 21. 

1 7. What is said of those who love God's law ? Ps. 
119: 165. 

18. Is not peace one of the fruits of the spirit ? — 
Gal. 5 : 22. 

19. With what wish did Paul commence many of 
his epistles? Rom.'l: 7; Gal. 1 : 3. 

20. Does not this show the estimation in which he 
held peace ? 

21. What did the angels sing at the birth of our 
Saviour? Luke 2 : 14. 

22. What did Jesus leave us as His parting blessing ? 
John 14: 27; 16: 33. 

23. What is the gospel of Christ called in Eph. 6 : 
15? 

24. Have we not something to do to secure living 
peaceably ? 

25. Can we not sometimes assist others to live in 
peace ? 

26. Will not he be happy who is at peace with God 
and men ? 

27. What is necessary to live peaceably with our fel- 
low-men ? 

28. How do we feel when we have had a difficulty 
with some one ? 

29. What feeling do we enjoy when we have care- 
fully avoided the difficulty ? 

30. How do we secure living continually at peace 
with God ? 



CONTENTMENT. 87 



LESSON XLIIL 

CONTENTMENT. 

1. What does Paul associate with godliness in his let- 
ter to Timothy? 1 Tim. 6 : 6. 

2. With what should we be content in this world ? 
1 Tim. 6:8. 

3. Should we disturb our contentment by undue anx- 
iety about the future ? Matt. 6 : 34. 

4. Should we ever make contentment an excuse for 
inaction ? 

5. Is it not right to improve our condition by all law- 
ful means ? 

6. Should we rest contented icithout exertion or after 
it? 

7. Should we not be satisfied with the amount of suc- 
cess God permits us to enjoy ? 

8. Is not full faith in God's overruling providence 
abundant cause for contentment ? 

9. What did Jesus say to the publicans ? Luke 3 : 
14, last clause. 

10. What does Paul say of himself in his letter to 
the Philippians ? Phil. 4:11. 

11. Does this passage imply that contentment was 
natural to him ? 

12. Was he contented because he was always pleas- 
antly situated ? Phil. 4 : 12 ; 2 Cor. 11 : 24-27. 

13. Can we have more cause to be discontented than 
he had ? 

14. Does contentment depend more upon ourselves 
or upon circumstances ? 



88 CONTENTMENT. 

15. What reason accompanies the command to be 
content ? Heb. 13:5. 

16. What will make us satisfied ? Prov. 19 : 23. 

1 7. With what did Moses pray to be satisfied V Ps. 
90: 14. . 

18. Is it not contrary to the spirit of contentment to 
covet our neighbor's possessions ? 

19. Which of the ten commandments forbids it? 
Ex. 20 : 17. 

20. What causes make us discontented ? 

21. In what ways do we show it ? 

22. Do we not make ourselves and others happier by 
being contented ? 

23. Will it not help us to be contented to think over 
our mercies ? 

24. Is not contentment more desirable than common f 

25. What should we do besides praying for a con- 
tented spirit ? 

26. How should we feel in regard to things that we 
do not possess ? 

27. What is there wrong in not being contented with 
our lot ? 

28. What evils are caused by discontent ? 

29. Should we be contented with our characters or 
not? 

30. What motives urge us to seek contentment ? 



JUSTICE. 89 



LESSON XLIY. 

JUSTICE. 

1. What is said in Ps. 89 : 14 ? 

2. Is not our God a God of justice ? Zeph. 3:5; 
Acts 3 : 14; Deut. 32: 4. 

3. What does He require of us ? Mic. 6:8. 

4. Who is described as a just man in Gen. 6 : 9 ? 

5. How will God treat the just ? Prov. 3 : 33 ; 10 : 6. 

6. What is said of the life of- the just ? Prov. 4:18. 

7. What is said in Ps. 119 : 121 ? 

8. What is said of the tongue of the just ? Prov. 
10: 20. 

9. Plow does God regard mst weights? Prov. 11: 
1; 16: 11. 

10. Were not God's laws very specific on this point? 
Lev. 19: 35, 36; Deut. 25: 13-16. 

11. Does He not now regard such violations of jus- 
tice in the same way ? 

12. Are we not unjust whenever we take undue ad- 
vantage of the ignorance or circumstances of others ? 

13. Can vou think of any ways in which this may 
be done ? 

14. What blessings shall the just receive ? Prov. 
12: 13, 21; 20: 7. 

15. What command is found in Is. 56 : 1 ? 

16. How do the just regard injustice? Prov. 29: 
27. 

17. How do we feel when we are treated with injus- 
tice ourselves ? 



90 JUSTICE. 

18. How do we feel when we see others treated un- 
justly ? 

19. How do we often do injustice to the characters 
of others ? 

20. Are we not sometimes in danger of speaking un- 
justly of them ? 

21. Should we not try to give every one's character 
and actions just appreciation ? 

22. Should we not be willing to pay a fair price for 
the services we receive ? 

23. Should we not be punctual in keeping engage- 
ments, so as not to deprive others of their time ? 

24. Into what classes will men be divided at the 
resurrection? Acts 24 : 15. 

25. With what song did John hear the glorified 
spirits praising God ? Rev. 15 : 3. 

26. With what different meanings is the word just 
used in the following passages ? 1 John 1 : 9 ; 1 Peter 
3: 18; Rom. 4 : 17; Luke 23 : 50. 

27. What definitions will you give to the words just 
and justice ? 

28. What does Moses say in the blessing pronounced 
upon God? Deut. 33: 21. 

29. What man is mentioned by Peter with the title 
just ? 2 Peter 2 : 7. 

30. What is said of the manner of David's govern- 
ment ? 2 Sam. 8: 15. 

31. In what ways are we most in danger of violating 
the principles of justice ? 



HONESTY. 91 



LESSON XLV. 



HONESTY. 

1. Which of the ten commandments is given on this 
subject? Ex. 20: 15. 

2. What is included with this command in Lev. 19 ; 
11. 

3. What special command is given ? Lev. 19 : 13. 

4. Is it not often an injury to others to make them 
wait for money after it is due ? 

5. What is implied by the fact that God's law on this 
subject is associated with the law about defrauding and 
robbing ? 

6. What is the only thing we should owe ? Rom. 
13: 8. 

7. What was the Hebrew law of restitution ? Ex. 
22: 1,4. 

8. What example of making restitution have we in 
the New Testament ? Luke 19:8. 

9. What law was given to the Israelites about bor- 
rowing ? Ex. 22 : 14. 

10. What do you think of the practice of borrowing 
and never returning ? 

11. What is it right to do if we have injured any- 
thing that has been borrowed ? 

12. What command is given under the new dispen- 
sation ? Eph. 4 : 28. 

13. What injunction does Paul give in his letter to 
the Romans ? Rom. 12 : 17. 

14. What direction is given in 2 Cor. 8 : 21 ? 

15. In what list ot virtues is honesty included ?— 
Phil. 4: 8. 



92 HONESTY. 

16. What may we expect as the result of an honest 
life? 1 Peter 2: 12. 

1 7. What means should we use in order to walk hon- 
estly ? 1 Thes. 4: 11, 12. 

18. What might we hope to gain by prayers offered 
for rulers ? 1 Tim. 2 : 2. 

19. Is not every form of cheating forbidden by the 
law against stealing ? 

20. What testimony did the children of Israel give 
to their venerable prophet ? 1 Sam. 12 : 4, 5. 

21. What boast could Paul make ? 2 Cor. 7: 2. 

22. Should we not all be able to say as much with a 
clear conscience ? 

23. What is necessary in order to be thoroughly hon- 
est in the smallest concerns of daily life ? 

24 How does society suffer for the lack of more per- 
fectlv honest men ? 

25. Should we not test our honesty by the standard 
of God's approval ? 

26. How do children begin at home and in school to 
be honest or dishonest ? 

27. What does David say of integrity? Ps. 25 : 21 ; 
41 : 12. 

28. In what little ways are there opportunities to be 
dishonest ? 

29. How can the public standard of honesty be ele- 
vated ? 

30. What does Paul say in his speech before Felix ? 
Acts 24 : 16.. 

31. What does he say in his letter to the Hebrews ? 
Heb. 13: 18. 



SYMPATHY. 93 

LESSON XLYI. 

SYMPATHY. 

1. Should we live for ourselves alone ? Bom. 14 : 7 ; 
Phil. 2 : 4. 

2. With what should our hearts be filled for others ? 
Gal. 6 : 2. 

3. Should there not be a brotherly feeling between 
the children of one Father ? 

4. What does Paul say ? 1 Cor. 12 : 26. 

5. Do we not all feel the need of sympathy in afflic- 
tion ? 

6. How does suffering prepare our hearts to feel for 
others ? 

7. What does sympathy require us to lay wholly 
aside ? 

8. Can we expect to comfort another's heart if our 
own feelings are unmoved ? 

9. Do not a few kind words often prove a great con- 
solation ? 

10. How can we not sometimes show our sympathy 
without speaking ? 

11. Is not some little act of kindness doubly appre- 
ciated in time of trouble ? 

1 2. Is it always easy to know how to express sym- 
pathy ? 

13. What is said of the Lord's dealings with the Is- 
raelites ? Is. 63 : 7-9. 

14. Will heartless indifference to the calamities of 
others be unpunished ? Prov. 17:5. 



94 SYMPATHY. 

15. What is said of visiting the fatherless and widow ? 
James 1 : 27. 

16. Who can comfort in affliction? Is. 49: 13; 2 
Thes. 2: 16, 17. 

1 7. Is not sympathy in affliction a great bond of union 
between persons ? 

18. If we desire sympathy how should we treat 
others? Prov. 18 : 24. 

19. What is the difference between sympathy with 
others and pity for them ? 

20. Which is most acceptable to us ? 

21. Is the word sympathize ever used to express our 
sharing any other feeling but sorrow ? 

22. What does sympathize mean ? 

23. What exhortation is given on this point ? Rom. 
12: 15. 

24. Should we not avoid clouding the happiness of 
others with our sorrows ? 

25. In what circumstances is sympathy needed ? 

26. How can we show it ? 2 Cor. 1 : 3-5. 

27. In what way may we fail to comfort others when 
we try to sympathize with them ? 

28. Is sympathy a thing that we try to feel, Or that 
comes spontaneously, if the heart is in the right condi- 
tion for it ? 

29. What causes lead to failure in expressing sym- 
pathy with others ? 

30. Of whose sympathy may we feel sure ? Heb. 
4: 15. 



TEMPERANCE. 95 

LESSON XLVII. 

TEMPERANCE. 

1. To what class does temperance belong ? Gal. 5 :. 
22, 23. 

2. In what company do we again find it ? 2 Peter 
1: 5-7. 

3. How is drunkenness classed? Gal. 5 : 19-21. 

4. What were the subjects of Paul's sermon before- 
Felix ? Acts 24 : 25. 

5. What description does Paul give of the character 
of a bishop ? Tit. 1 : 8. 

6. What do we generally mean by intemperance ? 

7. What are some of the sources of much of the sor- 
row in the world ? 

8. What crimes may be directly traced to intemper- 
ance ? 

9. Is not the possessor of intemperate habits unfitted 
for this world and the world to come ? 

10. Is not intemperance ruinous to mind, body, and 
soul ? 

11. What can be done to avoid forming such habits? 

12. W T hat men refused to drink wine in consequence 
of their fathers' command ? Jer. 35 : 5, G, 8. 

13. What blessing was promised them? Jer. 35 :- : 
18, 19. 

14. Give an account of the conduct of Daniel and. 
his companions ? Dan. 1: 5-15. 

15. What is said of those who are fond of wine? 
Prov. 23 : 29-32. 

9 



96 TEMPERANCE. 

16. Who cannot inherit the kingdom of God? 1 
Cor. 6 : 10. 

1 7. In ancient times what was to be the treatment 
of rebellious sons who were drunkards ? Dent. 21 : 
18-21. 

18. What other sin is included in this passage ? 

19. May we not equally sin by immoderate eating \ 

20. What is said in Prov. 23 : 20, 21. 

21. To what rule should we strictly confine ourselves 
in eating and drinking ? 

22. What is the object in eating and drinking ? — 
Eccl. 10: 17. 

23. Have we any right to violate God's physical laws 
for our own pleasure ? 

24. What is meant by moderation in Phil. 4:5? 

25. Is not temperance self-control in all things ? 
Cor. 9: 25, 27. 

26. In what respects are we liable to excess ? 

27. Do you suppose God's moral law will be in oppo- 
sition to His physical laws ? 

28. Which are we most likely to recognize as bind- 
ing upon us ? 

29. What physical laws are you most tempted tc 
violate ? 

30. If duty seems to require such a violation, what 
should we do ? 

31. What will you give as the most complete defini- 
tion of intemperance ? 



ENVY. 97 

LESSON XLVIII. 

ENVY. 

1. What is envy 

2. What is your feeling in regard to it ? 

3. Is it right or wrong to seek to exalt self by injur- 
ing others ? 

4. Of whom was the psalmist envious ? Ps. 73 : 3. 

5. Whom should we not envy ? Prov. 3 : 31 ; 23 : 
17; 24: 1. 

6. Whom did his neighbors envy because God's bless- 
ing had made him great ? Gen. 26 : 12, 14. 

7. Who was envied by his brothers V Gen. 37 : 11. 

8. What evil did their envy lead them to do ? Gen. 
37: 28, 31, 32. 

9. Whom did the Israelites envy? Ps. 106: 16; 
Num. 16: 1-3. 

10. What great crime was committed through envy ? 
Matt. 27: 18. 

11. How is envy compared with other sins ? Prov. 
27: 4. 

12. How were Paul and Barnabas treated through 
the envy of the Jews ? Acts 13 : 45, 50. 

13. Plow did envy make the Jews behave at Thessa- 
lonica ? Acts 17:5. 

14. How are those described who were living in sin ? 
Tit. 3 : 3. 

15. What should we lay aside at conversion ? 1 
Peter 2: 11. 

16. What is one of the marks of charity? 1 Cor. 
13: 4. 



98 ENVY. 

1 7. "What did Paul say should be avoided ? Rom. 
13 : 13, last clause. 

18. What traits prove that persons are still carnal V 
1 Cor. 3 : 3. 

19. What did Paul fear he might find among the 
Corinthians? 2 Cor. 12: 20. 

20. What are the fruits of the flesh ? Gal. 5 : 21. 

21. What feelings should Christians never indulge 
toward each other ? Gal. 5 : 26. 

22. How is envy described ? James 3 : 14, 15. 

23. What is the testimony of the Bible in relation to 
envy ? 

24. Should we not rejoice in the prosperity of others ? 

25. Should not our advancement be consistent with 
the prosperity of ail who are doing right ? 

26. Will you mention any temptations to envy ? 

27. What advantages are there in being entirely free 
from all envious feelings ? 

28. How can we prevent envious feelings from rising 
in*our minds ? 

29. How can we banish such feelings if they have 
arisen ? 

30. What temptation to envy do scholars find in 
school ? 

31. For what did Solomon say men envied each 
other? Eccl. 4: 4. 






OUR ASSOCIATES. 99 

LESSON XLIX. 

OUR ASSOCIATES. 

1. Why do most of us find the need of intimate as- 
sociates ? 

2. Do not these friends exert an influence upon our 
characters ? 

3. How far is the choice of these companions volun- 
tary ? 

4. Why should we avoid intimate relations with those 
whose principles are wrong ? 

5. Why should we not shun those who tempt us to 
sin? 

6. How may an intimate friendship call forth some 
of the best qualities of our nature ? 

7. What beautiful example of friendship does the 
Bible furnish ? 1 Sam. 18 : 1, 3 ; 19 : 1, 2. 

8. What proof of their friendship is given in the 
twentieth chapter of 1 Samuel ? 

9. What covenant did they make ? 1 Sam. 20 : 41,42. 

10. What lamentation did David make at the death 
of his friend ? 2 Sam. 1 : 25-27. 

11. How did he redeem his covenant in the days of 
his prosperity ? 2 Sam. 9 : 7. 

12. How should we gain faithful friends if we desire 
to have them ? Prov. 17: 17. 

13. What is said of associating with the wicked ? 
Prov. 4 : 14, 15. 

14. AVhy ought you not to seek the company of any 
who ridicule your conscientious scruples ? 



100 OUR ASSOCIATES. 

15. Are we strong enough to bear exposure to a con- 
stant influence for evil ? Prov. 13 :* 20 ; 28 : 7. 

16. Do not wicked men frequently seek to lead others 
into sin by pretensions of friendship ? 

17. How should they be treated? Prov. 1 : 10, 15. 

18. What is said of those who avoid evil compan- 
ions ? Ps. 1 : 1. 

19. Are not men frequently judged by the company 
they keep ? 

20. What good reason is there for such judgment ? 

21. What is said in Eccl. 9 : 18 ? 

22. Why do you find it harder to do right in the 
company of some persons ? 

23. What is the effect of the silent influence of their 
characters upon us ? 

24. What example such influence is there in the 
Bible ? Matt. 14 : 9. 

25. How are we constantly exerting and receiving 
this unconscious influence ? 

2G. How can we tell whether the influence of a 
character will be good or evil ? 

27. Why should we seek our intimate associates 
iimong those who will help us to be better ? 

28. Can direct efforts neutralize the influence of our 
real characters upon others ? 

29. What qualities would you desire in a friend ? 






RECREATIONS. 101 

LESSON L. 

RECREATIONS. 

1. Are we made* so that we can work all the time ? 

2. What is the effect upon body and brain of too 
constant labor ? 

3. If we neglect this fact what will be likely to prove 
its truth ? 

4. Can we not work more" and better for suitable 
recreations ? 

5. If our object is to accomplish the greatest amount, 
shall we do it by keeping our faculties fresh by relaxa- 
tion or by constant work ? 

6. What is the difference in your work before and 
after vacation ? 

7. How do difficulties appear much less when your 
mind is in its best condition ? 

8. What is the object of recreations ? 

9. Does the Bible give any specific commands on this 
subject ? 

10. What makes you think that some recreations are 
right and others wrong ? 

11. What general principles should we have by 
which to test any special case ? 

12. Should we not seek such enjoyments as will fit 
us to work better ? 

13. Is not any amusement wrong for us that unfits us 
for our duties ? 

14. How should our pleasures affect our health ? 

15. Is it right to injure our health for the sake of 
pleasure ? 



102 RECREATIONS. 

16. What do you think of such amusements as bring 
us into bad company ? 

1 7. Should we do anything when we doubt if it is 
right ? 1 John 3 : 21 ; Rom. 14 : 5. last clause. 

18. Is it right or wrong for us to do a thing that we 
consider wrong, though the thing is itself right ? Rom. 
14 : 22, 23. 

19. What does it indicate if we are ashamed to have 
our best friends know about any pleasure ? 

20. What principle should guide you in regard to 
the quantity of amusement ? 

21. Should we have any recreations upon which we 
cannot ask God's blessing ? 

22. What do you think of pleasures that weaken the 
mind ? 

23. How will suitable recreations affect mind, body, 
and soul ? 

24. 'Have we not examples of Jesus being present at 
social feasts ? Luke 5 : 29 ; John 2 : 2 ; 12 : 2. 

25. Should we not avoid all amusements that can 
injure others ? 

26. By what principles will you test pleasures ? 

27. What do you think in regard to the same recrea- 
tions being right for all persons ? 

28. What is the right course in regard to judging 
what recreations are right for others ? Matt. 7 : 1. 

29. What great evils arise from calling certain 
amusements wrong that have in themselves no moral 
character ? 



STUDYING THE BIBLE. 103 



LESSON LI. 






STUDYING THE BIBLE. 

1. What does the word Bible mean ? 

2. How was it written ? 2 Peter 1 : 21. 

3. In what languages was it first written ? 

4. In what century was the present division into 
verses made ? Ans. 16th. 

5. Into what two parts are the Scriptures divided ? 

6. What nation received the Old Testament and pre- 
served it ? 

7. How was the Old Testament sometimes divided ? 
Luke 24 : 44. 

8. What books are included in the Pentateuch ? 

9. Who wrote them ? 

10. What books were written by the men whose 
names they bear ? 

1 1 . Who probably wrote Job ? 

12. What books did Samuel write besides those that 
bear his name ? 

13. What did David write ? 

14. What books were written by Solomon ? 

15. Who wrote Lamentations? 

16. What fourteen epistles did Paul write ? 

1 7. Who wrote the Acts of the Apostles ? Acts 1 : 
1 ; Luke 1 : 3. 

18. Who wrote the Revelations ? 

1 9. What do the Scriptures claim in regard to their 
origin ? 2 Tim. 3 : 16, first clause. 

20. For what purpose are they given ? 2 Tim. 3 : 
16, 17. 



104 STUDYING THE BIBLE. 

21. What are the words of Jesus about the Scrip- 
tures ? John 5 : 39. 

22. Why ought not every one to become familiar 
with the Bible ? 

23. Why should we read it as far as possible without 
preconceived notions ? 

24. What ideas have you found in the Bible for 
yourself ? 

25. What distinction do you make between studying 
the Bible and reading it ? 

26. How will it assist us to know about the countries 
and people mentioned in it ? 

27. What profit can we derive from meditating upon 
passages that we have learned ? 

28. Cannot everyone take at least one verse a day as 
a subject of thought ? 

29. What plan can you suggest for reading and study- 
ing the Bible ? 

30. Are you willing to accept its teachings as the 
rule of life ? 

31. What is meant by the inspiration of the Bible ? 

32. What seems to you the strongest arguments for 
the inspiration of the Bible ? 

33. How can familiarity with the Bible be best ob- 
tained ? 

34. "What causes prevent so great familiarity with 
the Scriptures as we should expect to find ? 

35. For what objects should we study the Bible ? 



RELIGION. 105 



LESSON LIL 

RELIGION. 

1. How does the Bible define religion ? James 1:27. 

2. What third test i& given in the previous verse ? 
James 1 : 26. 

3. How much is comprehended in the term religion ? 

4. May it not properly include all that we have been 
considering; in the foregoing; lessons ? 

5. With what relations, properly, does it commence ? 

6. What is the only sure foundation of a holy life ? 

7. What do we receive through the knowledge of 
Christ ? 2 Peter 1:3. 

8. What makes it so difficult to lead a life of godli- 
ness ? Eph. 6: 10-12. 

9. How should we strive for it ? Eph. 6 : 13-18. 

10. Have you obtained a clear idea of what the Bible 
requires of us ? Deut. 10 : 12, 13 ; Mic. 6 : 8. 

11. Does it seem possible to attain so many virtues at 
once ? 

1 2. Have you found which you most lack ? 

13. Can you not begin by cultivating that grace that 
U most lacking ? 

14. Will not every victory over sin make the next 
stru«;o;le easier ? 

15. Did not Paul consider the prize worth the effort ? 

I Phil. 3: 13, 14. 
16. WTiat alone can direct you in the contest with 
sin ? 



106 RELIGION. 

18. Should not religion pervade all we do? 1 Cor. 
10: 31. 

19. How should we feel about our duties ? 

20. What do you think of the value of acts done 
from a sense of duty, without love ? 

21. How does this especially apply to our relations 
to our neighbors 

22. Through whom may we hope for victory ? 1 Cor. 
15: 57; Rom. 8: 37. 

23. What exhortations does Paul give ? 1 Cor. 16 : 
13, 14. 

24. May we be sure of final success ? Eom. 8 : 1-4, 
38, 39. 

25. Shall we not be judged according to our work ? 
Rev. 22: 12, 14. 

26. What is promised in the future to all who love 
and serve God? 1 Cor. 2:9; 15: 53-57; Rev. 21: 
3, 4, 22-26 ; 22 : 1-5. 

27. W T hat will vou mention as our leading duties to 
God ? 

28. What are the prominent duties that we owe to 
our neighbors ? 

29. What do you think character would be without 
religion ? 

30. What is your idea of the most perfect character? 

31. How does the religion of Christ differ from other 
religions ? 



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